HC wants Maharashtra minister be made party in plea alleging misuse of office

Mumbai city news: The plea states that an eatery in BKC, managed by the kin of a principal secretary serving in the Maharashtra government, was protected by minister of state for home Ranjit Patil

The Bombay high court on Wednesday directed minister of state for home Ranjit Patil be impleaded as a party in a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that he misused his office to protect an unauthorised food court in the Bandra Kurla Complex in the city.

The court was hearing a plea filed by activist Pravin Wategaonkar, alleging Patil had stayed the demolition of illegal portions of a food court in BKC even though the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act does not have any provisions for granting such stay. (HT photo)

A division bench of Justices RM Sawant and AS Gadkari noted the plea made personal allegations against the minister and it would be fair to grant him a hearing.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by activist Pravin Wategaonkar, alleging Patil had stayed the demolition of illegal portions of a food court in BKC even though the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act does not have any provisions for granting such stay.

The plea stated the said eatery is managed by the kin of a principal secretary serving in the Maharashtra government and Patil misused his power to stay the demolition.

As per the plea, MMRDA had leased the space in BKC to Spice and Grains overseas for a food court. The development authority, however, found the company had carried out unauthorised construction in May last year. It issued a demolition notice.

The company then allegedly approached Patil in August 2016, requesting that the demolition order be stayed and “Patil granted the stay immediately,” the plea reads.