Weeks after inspection, BMC issues notice to Narayan Rane for alterations in Juhu bungalow

The notice, issued under section 351 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, is for alleged unauthorised change of use, contravention to the plan approved by the civic body.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a notice to Union minister Narayan Rane’s Adhish Bungalow in Juhu for alleged illegal alterations. The action comes nearly two weeks after BMC conducted an inspection of the bungalow on February 21.

A team of nine personnel from the K west ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on February 21, 2022, visited the Adhish bungalow to inspect the structure in presence of Narayan Rane. (PTI)

The notice, issued under section 351 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, is for alleged unauthorised change of use, contravention to the plan approved by the civic body.

In the notice dated March 4, 2022, signed by the designated officer of K-West ward of the BMC under which Juhu areas falls, the BMC has said, “It has been reported to me, that you have commenced the erection of building/commenced execution of approved use of premises as described in schedule appended below in contravention to the provision of section 337\342 and 347 of the MMC, Act.”

“I in exercise of powers conferred upon me by section 351 (1A) of the said Act, direct you to show sufficient cause, by a statement in writing subscribed by you or by an agent duly authorised by you within 7 days as to why the said building or work shall not be removed or altered or pulled down or the use of restored,” the notice stated.

BMC also mentioned that if the owner of the bungalow fails to show sufficient cause as directed above, the said building or work will be removed/altered/pulled down/use of premises restored and owners may be prosecuted under section 475 A of the MMC, Act which is punishable with imprisonment and fine.

The BMC in the notice has pointed out several changes of use in the basement of the bungalow and on all but the seventh floor of the bungalow.

Right To Information (RTI) activist Santosh Daundkar, who has filed multiple complaints against the bungalow for five years now, said he got the notice via RTI application, and the BMC should take action into the matter.

The bungalow where the Rane family resides has been in the news for the last few years over allegations of illegalities. Daundkar said that he had filed a complaint since the bungalow was constructed in violation of Coastal Regulations Zone (CRZ) norms.

A team of nine personnel from the K west ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on February 21, 2022, visited the Adhish bungalow to inspect the structure in presence of Narayan Rane.

Narayan Rane and his sons Nitesh and Nilesh Rane could not be contacted for a comment on Sunday.

However, Nitesh Rane had earlier told the media, “We will co-operate with the BMC.”

Rane on the other hand had addressed a press conference last month where he stated, “I have got a notice for my Juhu bungalow where my family is residing, and we have not done any illegal construction. We shifted here in 2009, and I was also issued occupation certificate by the BMC.”

Repeated attempts to reach Prithviraj Chauhan, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of BMC’s K west ward, who conducted the inspection on Monday did not yield any response.