On Friday, the High Court of Bombay set aside the demolition notice sent to actor Kangana Ranaut by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation dated on Sept 7 & 9 — in what marked a victory for Ranaut. The HC said the demolition action at her office had malafide intent, passing an order for a valuer to be appointed to ascertain the damage caused in the demolition. However, the court has also asked the actor to exercise restraint.
A division bench of Justice S J Kathawalla & Justice R I Chagla noted that the action undertaken by the civic body leaves hardly “any manner of doubt” that it was unauthorised. The BMC had alleged Ranaut of unauthorised construction in her office, a portion of which was razed. The HC said it has compared the photographs & found no unauthorised construction. The civic body has proceeded to act wrongfully & illegally against the rights of a citizen, the bench said.
The Court also commented on Kangana’s allegations that the action (partial demolition of her office) was a reaction to her opinions expressed on social media.
It said that “The notice issued by BMC officer, & pasting of that on her bungalow, the reply to the notice, order of demolition of property, arrangements made to demolition, commencement of demolition, attempt to delay hearing, ensuring 40% demolition, demolition of the bungalow.Raut’s statement that bungalow ukhaad Diya..supports petitioner’s case that the demolition was in reaction to that".
Ranaut had filed the plea on Sept 9 when the demolition process was initiated by BMC. The Court had in an interim order on Sept 9 stayed the demolition work.
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