Thursday, 14, May, 2026
 
 
 
Expand O P Jindal Global University
 
  
  
 
 
 

Anand Apartment Co-Op Hsg Soc. ... vs Aikya Pvt. Ltd. Thr. Director
2022 Latest Caselaw 1179 Bom

Citation : 2022 Latest Caselaw 1179 Bom
Judgement Date : 2 February, 2022

Bombay High Court
Anand Apartment Co-Op Hsg Soc. ... vs Aikya Pvt. Ltd. Thr. Director on 2 February, 2022
Bench: S. K. Shinde
          Digitally
          signed by
          SHAMBHAVI
SHAMBHAVI NILESH
          SHIVGAN
                                                                    5-AO-136-2021.odt
NILESH
SHIVGAN   Date:
          2022.02.03
          15:39:03
          +0530
                                 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                         CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION


                                     APPEAL FROM ORDER NO.136 OF 2021

                       Anand Apartment Co-op. Hsg.
                       Society Ltd. Thr. Treasurer                          ...Appellant
                             Vs
                       Aikya Pvt. Ltd.
                       Thr. Director                                       ... Respondents
                                                       ...

                       None for the Appellant.

                       Mr. Sanmish Gala i/by M/s. Markand Gandhi & Co. for R.No.1.

                       Mr. Girish Godbole with Mr. Ravindra Sirsikar for MCGM-
                       Respondent.

                                              CORAM : SANDEEP K. SHINDE J.
                                              DATE : FEBRUARY 2, 2022.
                                              (Through Video Conferencing)
                       P.C. :



                                     Praecipe is filed for 'Speaking to the Minutes' of the

                       Judgment dated 28th January, 2022.




                       2             Accordingly, following corrections are made in the said

                       Judgment;


                       Shivgan                                                             1/28
                                                                  5-AO-136-2021.odt

 Page Para Line                  Original                         To be substituted with
 No. No. No.
   11     7(a)   1   "7)(a)Plaintiff's building is "7)(a) Plaintiff's building is on Plot
                     on Plot no.391; whereas no.392;                     whereas              proposed
                     proposed construction i.e. construction                  i.e.       development
                     development         permission permission          has       been   granted       in
                     has      been     granted      in respect     of    Plot      No.391;     a     plot
                     respect of Plot No.392; a adjoining to plaintiffs' building..
                     plot adjoining to plaintiffs'
                     building.
   11     7(b)   1   "7)(b)    Old     building     on "7(b) Old building on Plot no.391
                     Plot           No.392         was was       constructed          prior         1940,
                     constructed       prior     1940, accommodating the tenants."
                     accommodating                 the
                     tenants."
   11     7(c)   3   "7)(c)      Defendant       no.1- "7)(c)      Defendant          no.1-developer
                     developer         moved         a moved a redevelopment proposal
                     redevelopment             proposal under     Regulation         33(7)     of     the
                     under Regulation 33(7) of DCPR in respect of Plot no.391."
                     the DCPR in respect of
                     Plot no.392."
   11     7(e)   1   "7)(e) Old building on "7)(e)                 Old     building          on      Plot
                     Plot No.392 was a Cess              No.391     was       a      Cess     building
                     building         within       the within the meaning of Section
                     meaning of Section 82 82 of the Maharashtra Housing
                     of       the      Maharashtra and           Area     Development                Act,
                     Housing          and         Area 1976
                     Development Act, 1976.




Shivgan                                                                                             2/28
                                                           5-AO-136-2021.odt

    15    9    4   "9)   ....Thus,        on    the "9) ....Thus, on the northern
                   northern     side    of    the side    of   the   Plot,    plaintiffs'
                   Plot, plaintiffs' building building stands. It is            ground
                   stands. It is ground plus plus 4 upper floors. It could be
                   4 upper floors. It could       seen that, then existing open
                   be    seen     that,      then space        between        plaintiffs'
                   existing     open         space building and old building on
                   between             plaintiffs' Plot No.391 (prior demolition),
                   building       and         old was ..............."
                   building on Plot No.392
                   (prior demolition),
                   was ................."



3             Aforesaid corrections be carried out and judgment be read

accordingly.

4             Praecipe stands disposed of accordingly.

                                                     (SANDEEP K. SHINDE, J.)




Shivgan                                                                            3/28
                                        5-AO-136-2021.odt




 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

                 CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

            APPEAL FROM ORDER NO. 136 OF 2021
                            IN
            NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 1170 OF 2021
                            IN
              L.C. SUIT (ST.) NO. 3729 OF 2021


ANAND APARTMENT CO-OP HSG.
SOCIETY LTD.               } APPELLANT/
                           (ORIG.PLAINTIFF)

          V/S.

1. AIKYA REALTY PVT. LTD.
AND ORS.                            } RESPONDENTS/
                                  (ORIG.DEFENDANTS)

                        ****

Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal i/by. Mr. Ram Singh a/w. Mr. C.B.
    Yadav, Mr. Pradeep Yadav a/w. Mr. Arjun Aggarwal,
    a/w. Mr. Vishal Singh, Advocate for the appellant.

Mr. Girish Godbole a/w. Mr. Ravindra Shirshikar, Advocate
     for M.C.G.M.

Senior Advocate Mr. Prasad Dhakephalkar a/w. Ms. Tanvi
     Gandhi, with Mr. Atul Kshatriya, Mr. Sanmish Gala i/
     by. Markand Gandhi & Co., Advocate for respondent
     no.1.

Shivgan                                                    4/28
                                             5-AO-136-2021.odt



                   Coram : Sandeep K. Shinde, J.
                         (through Video Conference).

          Closed for Order On : 10th January, 2022.
          Pronounced Order On : 28th January, 2022.



JUDGMENT :

1) Plaintiffs, have filed this Appeal under Order 43 Rule

1 (r) read with Section 104 of the Code of Civil Procedure,

1908, challenging the order dated 29 th April, 2021, by which

the learned Judge, City Civil Court, Mumbai declined to

restrain defendant no.1(developer) from making construction

on Plot no.391, at Motishah Cross Lane, Byculla, Mumbai.

2) Heard Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, learned Counsel for

the appellant; Mr. Girish Godbole, learned Senior Counsel for

the Municipal Corporation and Mr. Prasad Dhakephalkar,

learned Senior Counsel for respondent no.1.

Factual matrix :

Shivgan                                                         5/28
                                           5-AO-136-2021.odt

3)         Plaintiff is a Co-operative Housing Society. It owns a

building, situated at Plot no. C.S. No. 392, Motisha Cross Lane,

Byculla, Mumbai. The defendant no.1 is, the Developer/Owner

of adjoining plot no.391. Plaintiffs' alleged, that the defendant

no.1 in collusion with Planning Authority, started constructing

ground plus 15 floors building on Plot no.391, as per

development permission dated 15th April, 2020 which was

void, being granted in breach of building regulations. Plaintiffs'

would assert, that, the development permission has been

granted by the Planning Authority in defiance of Development

Control and Promotion Regulations for Greater Mumbai, 2034

("DCPR" for short), by compromising the urban safety

requirements. Plaintiffs would plead that, the building, then

existing on Plot no.391 was demolished by the defendant no.1

and that distance between the old building prior to demolition

and plaintiff's building was approximately 9 feet/mtrs;

however, as per approved plan, open space between their

building and proposed building is 1.5 meters. In other words,

plaintiff's case is, that the Planning Authority granted

Shivgan 6/28 5-AO-136-2021.odt

development permission, and approved plans under Section 45

of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, by

compromising the fire, and health safety, of inhabitants of

neighbourhood. As well, plaintiffs', would assert that the

proposed construction on Plot no.391, would affect its'

members right to air and light. To assert these rights in the

Suit (St.) No. 3729/2021, plaintiffs' seek the following reliefs :

"(a). That this Hon'ble Court be pleased to declare that the development permission and or grant of commencement certificate dated 15/04/2020 and approved plan issued by the defendants no.2 for the development of proposed building known as cozy cottage in favour of defendant no.1 is illegal, improper and bad in law and same is required to be declare invalid, void and be cancelled in respect of the construction of the proposed building known as cozy cottage at C.S. no.391 situated at 1st, Motisha Cross Lane, (love lane), Byculla

(E), Mumbai-400 027. (emphasis supplied)

(b). That this Hon'ble Court be pleased to declare that the construction of the proposed building known as cozy cottage situated at C.S. no.391 situated at 1st Motisha Cross Lane, (love lane), Byculla (E), Mumbai-400 027 is illegal, improper, bad in law.

(c). That this Hon'ble Court be pleased to passed the order directing the defendants no.1 and 2 to remove the illegal, improper and unauthorized construction work of the proposed building known as

Shivgan 7/28 5-AO-136-2021.odt

cozy cottage situated at C.S. no. 391 situated at 1 st Motisha Cross Lane, (love lane), Byculla (E), Mumbai-400 027.

(d). That this Hon'ble Court be pleased to grant the permanent order and injunction restraining the defendants, their officers, servants, agents, person/persons claiming through them from carrying out any addition, alteration and or construction of any nature of the proposed building on the plot bearing C.S. 391 situated at 1 st, Motisha Cross Lane, (love lane), Byculla (E), Mumbai-400 027."

4) Pending suit, vide Notice of Motion No. 1170/2021,

plaintiffs', sought an order, to restrain defendant no.1 from

making construction on Plot No.391, on the premise that the

development permission under Section 45 of the M.R.T.P. Act

being granted in breach of DCPR, it was void. The learned trial

Court declined the reliefs to the plaintiffs on the ground that,

development permission, being a final order, its' legality or

correctness cannot be questioned, in the civil suit, in view of

Section 149 of the M.R.T.P. Act, which contains express

prohibition to deal with the matters specified thereunder,

unless the order complained of, is nullity. Mr. Aggarwal,

learned Counsel for the appellants, would dispute this finding,

to contend that since development permission has been

Shivgan 8/28 5-AO-136-2021.odt

granted in gross defiance of the DCPR 2034, and by

compromising fire safety requirements, such a permission

being void, the jurisdiction of the civil court was not excluded.

Questioning the correctness of development permission, Mr.

Aggarwal, would submit that, since the height of the proposed

building is 54.13 meters, keeping 6 meters open space,

between Southern side of plaintiffs' building i.e. Plot no.392

and proposed building, although was, mandatory, yet, as per

approved plan, the open space kept between, the two buildings

is hardly 1.5 meters. Mr. Aggarwal, to fortify his submissions,

relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of

Supertech Limited Versus. Emerald Court Owner Resident

Welfare Association and Ors. in Civil Appeal 5041/2021

(Arising out of SLP © No.11959/2014). In the case of

Supertech (supra), development permissions granted by

NOIDA (Planning Authority) were questioned and issue for

consideration was, whether second revised plan for

construction of adjacent 'building blocks' was in compliance

with the applicable regulations at the time i.e. National

Shivgan 9/28 5-AO-136-2021.odt

Building Regulations, 2006 ("NBR" for short). Thus, in context

of facts of the said case, the Hon'ble Apex Court referred to

Regulations-24, 2.1 of NBR, which provide that, distance

between two adjacent building blocks is to be of minimum 6

meters going upto to 16 meters, depending upon the height of

the blocks. Mr. Aggarwal, taking recourse to those Regulations

(NBR) and relying on the observations in judgment paragraphs

no.66, 67, 68 and 70, of Supertech (supra), would argue that,

the Planning Authority having not kept 6 meters open space

between two buildings, development permission was void and

thus, jurisdiction of the Civil Court to entertain the suit was not

excluded. Besides, Mr. Aggarwal would argue that, having not

left required space between two buildings, fundamental right

to air and light of the inhabitants of plaintiffs' building, has

been adversely affected. On these grounds, Mr. Aggarwal,

seeks interference in the impugned order.

5) Mr. Dhakephalkar, learned Counsel for the

respondent no.1 and Mr. Godbole, learned Senior Counsel for

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

the Corporation refuted the submissions of Mr. Agarwal and

would contend that,

(i) Development permission in question, is valid

and has been granted in accordance with DCPR and

it does not compromise either fire safety or other

urban safety requirements contemplated in the

Regulations.

(ii) The plot in question since affected by

sanctioned D.P. road was reduced to small size

requiring various concessions in planning, to

accommodate existing rehab tenements (living in

dilapidated and dangerous building constructed

prior to 1940).

(iii) the Municipal Commissioner granted

concessions in exercise of discretionary powers

specified under Regulation 6(b) of DCPR.

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

(iv) the concession granted by Municipal

Commissioner does not compromise health, safety,

fire, structural and public safety of the inhabitants of

the building and neighbourhood.

(v) the Regulation under Section 2(27) of the

M.R.T.P. Act, made under Section 159 would alone

govern and regulate the manner in which

development permission under Section 45 is to be

granted and communicated.

(vi) the National Building Regulations (NBR) has no

application to the permission to be granted under

Section 45 of the M.R.T.P. Act.

(vii) the evidence on record admits, that it was a

case of 'demonstrable hardship within the

permission of Regulation 33(7) of the DCPR.

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

(viii) that since the development permissions and

plans having been sanctioned strictly in accordance

with the Rules and Regulations, the plaintiffs could

not have questioned such permissions in the civil

suit in view of Section 149 of the M.R.T.P. Act and

therefore the impugned order requires no

interference.

6) Having heard Counsel for the parties, the moot

question falling for consideration is,

Whether questioned development permission

granted to redevelop the Plot No.392, under

Section 45(1) of the M.R.T.P. Act was valid ?

And if answer is in affirmative, whether

plaintiffs' could have questioned its'

correctness in the civil suit.

Like manner other allied questions, arising for consideration

are :

(i)Whether development permission in question has

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

been granted by compromising fire protection

requirements stipulated under Regulation 47(A) of

the DCPR ?

(ii) Whether redevelopment proposal under

Regulation 33(7) of DCPR, admits "Demonstrable

hardship" within the meaning of Regulation 2(36) of

the DCPR ?

(iii) Whether order dated 24th July, 2019 passed by

the Municipal Commissioner in exercise of discretion

under Regulation 6(b) of the DCPR, permitting

modification of dimensions was in conformity with

the intent and spirit of the Regulations ?

(iv) Whether impugned order calls for interference ?

REASONS :

7)               Facts not in dispute are :

Shivgan

                                                   5-AO-136-2021.odt

(a) Plaintiff's building is on Plot no.392; whereas

proposed construction i.e. development permission

has been granted in respect of Plot No.391; a plot

adjoining to plaintiffs' building.

(b) Old building on Plot no.391 was constructed

prior 1940, accommodating the tenants.

(c) Defendant no.1-developer moved a

redevelopment proposal under Regulation 33(7) of

the DCPR in respect of Plot no.391.

(d) Height of the proposed building is 54.30

meters.

(e) Old building on Plot No.391 was a Cess building

within the meaning of Section 82 of the Maharashtra

Housing and Area Development Act, 1976.

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

8) M/s. AIKYA Realty Private Limited-defendant no.1

("Developer" for short), submitted the proposal for

redevelopment (composite building) of the CESS building

requiring rehabilitation of existing occupiers plus 50%

incentive FSI, whichever is higher in accordance with DCPR-

33(7) of 2034. The plot is abutting 12.20 meters wide DP

Road. Regulation-41 of DCPR, provides for open spaces within

building plots/layout for composite building. Particulars of

open spaces required as per Regulations were as under :

Side          Open          spaces Open    spaces Deficiency     % of deficiency
              required             proposed
     West            3.00               3.00            Nil              ----
     North           6.00               1.50           4.50          75.00%
     East            6.00               1.50           4.50          75.00%
     South           6.00               6.00            Nil



.           Thus, it could be seen from the above table that open

space deficiency was maximum upto 75% on North and East

side of the Plot. Plaintiffs' building is on North side. Plaintiffs'

would therefore argue that as per the DCPR, space required to

be kept open on the Northern and Southern side of the Plot,

was six meters; yet Planning Authority, granted development

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

permission, despite of the fact that, open space was just 1.5

meters, as against 6 meters, by compromising urban safety

requirements and therefore, it was void permission. To test

the arguments, let me refer to Regulations. Part-IX of DCPR

provides, for urban safety requirements. Regulation-47(1)

provides, fire protection requirements. It stipulates the

planning, design and construction of any building shall be such

to ensure safety from fire and for high rise and special

buildings, additional provisions relating to fire protection

contained in Appendix-I shall also apply. Clause-(A) of

Regulation-47 provides that, for proposals including one under

33(7), for rehabilitation/composite buildings, having height

more than 32 meters upto 70 meters, atleast one side other

than the roadside shall have clear open space of 6 meters at

ground level, accessible from roadside. It may be stated that,

under Old Regulations of 1994, in case of redevelopment

proposal under 33(7) for a plot size 600 meters, 1.5 meters

open space was deemed to be adequate. However, after the

judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court, in the case of Municipal

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Others vs. Kohinoor

City Infrastructure Company Private Limited, (2014) 4 SCC

538, the requirement to keep clear open space of 6 meters

atleast on one side, (emphasized) other than roadside at

ground level and accessible from roadside, is required to be

maintained for maneuverability of fire engine. Therefore,

keeping open space of 6 meters atleast (emphasized) on one

side, which is accessible from the roadside is the mandatory

requirement. The above chart shows, on southern side of the

plot, 6 meters open space was proposed and approved as per

Regulation-47(1)(A), which is on the side, other than the

roadside. Indisputably in this case 12.20 meters wide DP road

is on westside of the Plot, whereas, the 6 meters open space

has been kept on the southern side of the Plot. Therefore, in

consideration of the facts of the case, the Planning Authority

has not compromised the fire safety requirement i.e.

Regulation-47 of DCPR, while granting development

permission to develop the plot in question.

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

9) Now let me address the issue, whether open space

deficiency on northern side of the Plot, has rendered the

development permission, void. To appreciate the plaintiffs'

case, it would be appropriate to tabulate the then, existing

open space and approved open space vis-a-vis plaintiffs'

plot/building. It is as under :

Side         Adjoining Property         Existing       Open Proposed      Open Remarks
                                        Space               Space
West         12.20 mt wide Road         12.20 + 1.00        12.20 + 3.00 mt    Improvement
North        Existing Gr.Fl+4 upper     0.00 + 1.50         0.00 + 1.50        No change
East         Open Plot                  Open Plot + 0.00    Open plot + 1.50   Improvement
South        Existing Gr.Fl + 4 upper   3.00 + 1.50         3.00 + 6.00        Improvement




.         Thus, on the northern side of the Plot, plaintiffs' building

stands. It is ground plus 4 upper floors. It could be seen that,

then existing open space between plaintiffs' building and old

building on Plot No.391 (prior demolition), was 1.50 meters.

As such, in approved plan, there is no change in open space,

although, as per Regulations, 6 meters space is required to be

kept open. In the circumstances, the question arising for

consideration is, "Whether relaxation of open space from 6

meters to 1.50 meters on northern side of the Plot was legal,

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

valid and and as per the Regulations and further whether a

relaxation granted by the Commissioner has affected health

safety, fire safety, structural safety and public safety of

inhabitants of plaintiffs' building ?". Well, before answering

this question, it may be stated that, developer requested the

Planning Authority to condone open space deficiency under

Regulation-6(b) by charging premium as per policy.

Regulation-6 of DCPR invest, Municipal Commissioner with

discretionary powers which he may exercise in conformity

with the intent and spirit of the Regulations. Regulation-6

Clauses (a) and (b) reads as under :

"6. Discretionary powers

(a) In conformity with the intent and spirit of these Regulations,

the Municipal Commissioner may :-

(i)modify the limit of a zone where the

boundary line of the zone divides a plot, village

boundary, CS/CTS No. as per records of

revenue by a special permission; and

(ii)authorize the erection of a building or the

use of premises for a pubic service

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

undertaking, Government, Semi-Government,

Local Bodies for public utility purposes only,

where he finds such an authorization to be

reasonably necessary for public convenience

and welfare, even it is not permitted in any

land use classification/zone by a special

permission.

(iii) decide on matters where it is alleged that

there is an error in any order, requirement,

decision, determination made by any

municipal officer under delegation of powers in

application of the Regulations or in

interpretation of these Regulations :

(iv) interpret the provisions of these

Regulations where a street layout actually on

the ground varies from the street layout sown

on the development plan :

(b) In specific cases where a clearly demonstrable hardship is

caused, the Commissioner may for reasons to be recorded in

writing, by special permission permit any of the dimensions

prescribed by these Regulations to be modified, except those

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

relating to floor space indices unless otherwise permitted under

these Regulations, provided that the relaxation will not affect the

health, safety, fire safety, structural safety and public safety of

the inhabitants of the building and the neighbourhood."

(emphasis supplied)

. Thus, it could be seen that in a case, where

"demonstrable hardship" is apparent in development of the

plot, the Commissioner is empowered to relax the dimensions,

prescribed under the Regulations (except those relating to

FSI), provided, relaxation will not affect health, fire, structural

and public safety of the inhabitants of building and

neighbourhood. Therefor, which are these specific cases,

disclosing "demonstrable hardship" for exercising

discretionary powers. Expression, "demonstrable hardship" is

defined under Regulation-2(36). It means "plot under

development/redevelopment affected due to Nalla, Nallah/river

buffer, road widening, height restriction due to statutory

restriction as per these Regulations such as railway buffer,

height restrictions in the vicinity of Airport, height restriction

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

in the vicinity of defense establishments, and/or any other

restrictions as per the provisions of these Regulations

affecting the project, odd shape plot, rehabilitation of existing

tenants/occupants on small, size plot/s etc."

. Thus, understood, the "demonstrable hardship" is in

relation to a Plot of which development or redevelopment is

affected due to; (i) Nalla, (ii)Nallah/river buffer, (iii) road

widening, (iv) height restriction due to statutory restriction as

per these Regulations, (iv) height restrictions in the vicinity of

Airport, defense establishments or odd shape plot, (v)

rehabilitation of existing tenants/occupants on small size plots

etc. Therefore, definition of "demonstrable hardship" is

inclusive, and it may admit such other factors because of which

development of the Plot would be affected. In the backdrop of

the aforesaid provisions, let me ascertain which factors have

affected redevelopment of Plot in question and whether

Municipal Commissioner was justified in relaxing the

requirement of open spaces and condone the open space

deficiency on north and east side of the Plot, which was 75%

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

maximum.

10). Indisputably, developers submitted a plan and

accordingly proposal was put up for concessions approval for

consumption of full FSI under Regulation-33(7). The area of

the plot is 560.04 sq.meters. As per certified list of Mumbai

Building Repairs & Reconstruction Board (MBRRB), there

were 18 existing tenants. The proposed building was designed

by keeping 3 meters open space on front side and 1.5 meters

open space on two sides and 6 meters open space on southern

side, accessible from the roadside as per provisions of DCPR-

47(1)(A). Hence, there were planning restraints and it was

not possible to accommodate all existing tenants on one

location and therefore rehabilitation of few tenants was

proposed on different locations. Accordingly, splitting of

residence of rehab tenants was allowed. Although, the plaintiff

has not challenged this concession/relaxation granted by the

Municipal Commissioner for splitting of residence of rehab

tenants, yet this fact would show that, there was apparent

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

hardship in developing the plot under Regulation-33(7) of

DCPR. Now, in so far as, condoning/relaxing the space

deficiency (75%) on North and East side of Plot, Corporation

justified it on the following grounds emerging from data note

sheets, annexed to Affidavit-in-reply; viz

"(i) The proposal u/r is under D.C. Regulation-33(7) wherein FSI

3.0 is to be consumed.

(ii) It is not possible to go above 70.0 mtrs height on account of

rules and regulation governing high rise building above 70.0 mtrs.

(iii) In order to accommodate rehab tenants with their respective

agreed rehabilitation areas there are severe planning constraints.

(iv) Proposal does not become viable unless FSI 3.0 along-with

permissible fungible compensatory FSI is consumed.

(v) To enable to consume the said built up area there is hardship in

providing required open spaces.

(vi) The open spaces envisaged in D.C. Regulation cannot be

provided being the proposal of consumption of full permissible FSI

of 3.00 which is a major hardship.

. That being so, Municipal Commissioner's order

condoning/relaxing open space requirement on North and East

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

side of the Plot, would not render development permission

illegal, reason being, Commissioner found, that the

redevelopment proposal under Regulation-33(7), was falling

within the parameters of "demonstrable hardship". Infact,

from the note sheets, 4B Scrutiny Sheet for IOD/CC; 4C Reports

on various concessions; comments of Assistant Engineer (BP);

comments of Executive Engineer (BP), annexed to the Affidavit

of Corporation, show that, development permission has been

granted in conformity with the Regulations. As a consequence,

I hold that development permission has been granted by not

compromising safety requirements stipulated under

Regulation-47A and the relaxation in relation to open space

requirements, was in conformity with intent and spirit of

Regulations.

11. It may be stated that, Mr. Aggarwal, learned Counsel

for the plaintiffs' to a large extent relied on the judgment of the

Supreme Court in the case of Supertech (supra), to contend

that, open space between plaintiffs' building and the proposed

construction could not have been less than 6 meters. However,

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

the observations and the findings in Supertech (supra) in

paragraphs-68, 69 and 70 were in context of Regulations with

respect to the distance between two adjacent building blocks

(Regulations-24.2.1.6 of NBR, 2010); whereas in the case in

hand, neither NBR nor NBC has application, since DCPR are

framed in exercise of powers under Section 159 of the MRTP

Act, would govern and regulate the development of buildings.

Factually speaking, plaintiffs have neither questioned

discretionary powers of Municipal Commissioner to relax the

dimensions stipulated in the Regulations, nor challenged order

relaxing space from 6 meters to 1.50 meters on Northern side

of the Plot. There, challenge to development permission was

not peripheral. In so far as, right to air and light is concerned,

no substantive prayers have been made in the plaint. For all

that reasons, in my view, the order granting development

permission under Section 45 of the MRTP Act, was in

conformity with the Regulations. As a consequence, plaintiffs'

could not have questioned its legality and validity in the suit in

view of express bar contained in Section 149 of the MRTP Act.

Shivgan

5-AO-136-2021.odt

The moot question is answered accordingly. In the result,

Appeal fails. It is dismissed and disposed of accordingly.

12. At this stage, learned Counsel for the appellant,

requested to continue the ad-interim relief dated 01 st

September, 2021 and continued by the Hon'ble Apex Court in

Civil Appeals No. 7106/7107 of 2021 for a period of four weeks

from today. In consideration of the facts of the case, request is

rejected.

(SANDEEP K. SHINDE, J.)

(NOTE: Aforesaid corrections are made in the judgment pursuant to

the 'Speaking to the Minutes' of the order dated 2 nd February, 2022)

Shivgan

 
Download the LatestLaws.com Mobile App
 
 
Latestlaws Newsletter
 

Publish Your Article

 

Campus Ambassador

 

Media Partner

 

Campus Buzz

 

LatestLaws Guest Court Correspondent

LatestLaws Guest Court Correspondent Apply Now!
 

LatestLaws.com presents: Lexidem Offline Internship Program, 2026

 

LatestLaws.com presents 'Lexidem Online Internship, 2026', Apply Now!

 
 

LatestLaws Partner Event : IJJ

 

LatestLaws Partner Event : Smt. Nirmala Devi Bam Memorial International Moot Court Competition

 
 
Latestlaws Newsletter