‘DIFFICULT TO KEEP TRACK’

HC orders Mhada to identify illegal transit tenement occupiers

Mumbai: The Bombay high court ordered Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to find out how many people are staying illegally in its transit tenements. 

    Justice Amjad Sayed heard seven petitions filed by occupants of a transit camp at PMGP Colony in Mankhurd, challenging their eviction orders. The joint chief officer (JCO) held that only a bona fide occupant of a cessed building is entitled to stay in transit accommodation. Petitioners produced affidavits by tenants of 

cessed buildings who allegedly transferred rights in the petitioners' favour. Justice Sayed said even if the documents are genuine, they could not explain how the documents could create any rightin their favour in cessed buildings. 

    Mhada's advocate Vaibhav Parshurami submitted there are over 22,000 tenements in Mumbai and it is difficult for Mhada to keep a check on unauthorized occupants. Justice Sayed said this was unacceptable, when Mhada employees are collecting rent from the occupants. The judge directed Mhada's vice-president and chief executive officer to submit a comprehensive report within three months on this matter.