Cannot leave property in half-demolished state: Bombay HC to hear Kangana Ranaut's plea against BMC demolition tomorrow

The Bombay High Court has informed that it will hear tomorrow Actress Kangana Ranaut's arguments against the BMC's move to demolish portions of her property citing alleged illegal alterations made to it by her..By the time the Court had taken up the matter for the first time on September 10 and before the Court could issue a stay, about 40% of the property had already been demolished, the Court was told at the time..Manner in which demolition was started prima facie smacks of malafide: Bombay HC while granting Kangana Ranaut relief in plea against BMC.The case was listed this morning before the Bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and RI Chagla after it allowed the impleadment of Shiv Sena's Spokesperson, Sanjay Raut, who is stated to have made critical remarks against Ranaut, and the Executive Engineer of the BMC who had ordered the demolition..Bombay HC allows impleadment of Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut in Kangana Ranaut plea against BMC demolition .The Court yesterday noted that reliance had been placed by the petitioner on a DVD containing Raut's statements. As such, it observed that Raut should be given an opportunity to be heard. .Appearing for Raut today, Advocate Pradeep Thorat sought time to file a reply. Raut was presently in Delhi and is a Member of the Parliament, Thorat submitted. .Taking note of the submission, the Court allowed Raut some time to reply, but also fixed the matter for hearing tomorrow at 3 pm. .Informing that it will begin hearing the petitioner's arguments tomorrow, and while declining the BMC's request to adjourn the matter beyond that, the Court orally observed that it cannot allow Ranaut's property to remain in a half-demolished state. The Court said, ."We cannot leave the demolished house the way it is. We will start hearing the petitioner tomorrow... you need more time, but otherwise, you are very fast.".The Court's order records, ."We have explained to both the Learned Advocates, who are seeking time, that since 40% of the Petitioner’s Bungalow is already demolished on 9th September, 2020 and the Bungalow continues to stand in partially demolished condition since then, it is likely that some mishap may be caused due to the heavy rainfall in Mumbai. It is therefore necessary to hear the matter at the earliest.".While the Court will start hearing the petitioner's arguments tomorrow afternoon, the Bench directed that affidavits may be filed by Raut and the BMC's executive engineer (who has been impleaded in his personal capacity) before their turn to address the Court reaches..Read the Order: