HC combines 2 pleas on plot dereservation

Plots should be dereserved only in "wider public interest", said the Bombay High Court on Monday.

Plots should be dereserved only in "wider public interest", said the Bombay High Court on Monday.

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The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former journalist Ketan Tirodkar questioning the de-reservation of several plots meant for police housing. On request from advocate general Ravi Kadam, the bench tagged Tirodkar’s PIL with another PIL filed by Yogacharya Anandji Joshi on the similar issue. “The state does have power to dereserve plots meant for specific public purpose under Section 50 of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, but there should be some guidelines to do so," said the division bench of Justice BH Marlapalle and Justice Amjad Sayed.

Tirodkar filed a PIL saying the Juhu plot reserved for police quarters was dereserved in April 2003. Two 11-storey buildings are on the plot housing private flats of select IPS officers. The court directed additional chief secretary (Home) to ensure that the IPS officers, who have been allotted flats in the 11-storey buildings do not occupy separate staff quarters.