The Bombay HC on Tuesday called for reconstitution of the panel of lawyers who represents the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), noting that its lawyers often can't assist the court properly.
The court was hearing a petition about a project undertaken by construction groups Housing Development and Infrastructure Limited (HDIL) & RKW Developers. RKW Developers is owned by Dheeraj Wadhawan from the Wadhawan family which also owns the beleaguered HDIL.
A Division Bench of Justices S.J. Kathawala & R.I. Chagla was hearing a petition filed by Cyril Mecwan claiming there were irregularities in the slum rehabilitation project undertaken by RKW Developers in Bandra.
During the hearing on Monday, the Bench had asked the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) — a State authority for rehabilitation of slum dwellers — for some details.
The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) lawyer & its officer present in the court could not give a satisfactory reply. The Bench then directed Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) CEO Deepak Kapoor to remain present.
On Tuesday, the court told Mr. Kapoor that in several matters the SRA’s lawyers & even its officers couldn't assist the court. “At the end, your organisation is suffering. Are you not interested in getting the cases represented properly? You have to consider reconstituting the panel of advocates,” Justice Kathawala said.
As per the plea, while RKW Developers were constructing resale component (the part which the developer can sell off in open market) of the project, HDIL was to construct the rehabilitation building for the original tenants (slum dwellers).
In Oct 2018, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) issued stop-work notice over alleged violation of project terms. Mecwan sought a direction to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) & HDIL to complete the construction of the rehabilitation building, stating that the project had started in 2006 & since then the original tenants were staying in transit homes.
Senior counsel Prasad Dhakepalkar, appearing for RKW Developers, said as Housing Development and Infrastructure Limited (HDIL) was in liquidation, RKW Developers would file a proposal before the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), seeking permission to complete the rehabilitation building.
The Bench then directed the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) CEO to consider RKW Developers’ proposal on merit, & adjourned the hearing for four weeks.
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