The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has, according to sources, razed the bungalow of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s estranged son, Jaidev, besides that of Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik, on Monday.
Following a high court directive, the TMC is demolishing illegal bungalows in Yeoor since Friday.
“The plots on which Thackeray and Sarnaik built their bungalows belonged to adivasis,” a TMC official said on condition of anonymity. “We were asked by the Thane district collector’s office to raze structures that did not belong to Adivasis, and to hand over possession of the plots to them.”
The TMC also demolished two other structures.
The collector’s office had in January 2008 forwarded a list of 19 unauthorised structures to the TMC that needed to be demolished. This was in keeping with a ruling of the Human Rights Commission in 2005, asking the government to restore the land to tribals.
“Of the 19 illegal structures, we have so far demolished 17. The plots have been handed over to the collector’s office,” said TMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner B.G. Pawar, adding that the demolition exercise would resume on Tuesday.
“Once we are done with the 19 structures, we will continue with the other illegal structures,” said Pawar, adding that the TMC commissioner had formed a team to carry out a detailed survey.
{{/usCountry}}“Once we are done with the 19 structures, we will continue with the other illegal structures,” said Pawar, adding that the TMC commissioner had formed a team to carry out a detailed survey.
{{/usCountry}}“After the survey’s done, we will ask plot owners to furnish relevant documents, failing which they will be sent notices and finally action will be taken.”