State disbands probe panel

The state government on Friday told the Bombay high court (HC) that the two committees appointed for examining the redevelopment of Golibar Nagar in Santacruz (East) and 15 other slum rehabilitation projects across the city will be disbanded.

The state government on Friday told the Bombay high court (HC) that the two committees appointed for examining the redevelopment of Golibar Nagar in Santacruz (East) and 15 other slum rehabilitation projects across the city will be disbanded.

HT Image

The task will now be entrusted to the high-powered committee appointed by the high court. Additional government pleader GW Mattos told the court that the government had decided to hand over the probe to the high-powered committee appointed after a high court order issued in December 2008.

“The government would issue a corrigendum or a memorandum regarding the same in two weeks,” Mattos told the division bench of justice DY Chandrachud and justice Anoop Mohta. The court was hearing a petition filed by Ganesh Krupa Co-operative Housing Society, one of the 41 societies in Golibar Nagar, seeking directions to set aside appointment of the two committees appointed at the behest of social activist Medha Patkar, who had observed hunger strike in support of the members opposing the redevelopment scheme.

The high court had expressed utter displeasure over the inclusion of justice Suresh and activist Simpreet Singh, who had participated in the agitations against the redevelopment scheme, in the committees.

The court has adjourned the case till July 1 after counsel for the housing society, Janak Dwarkadas, sought time to take instruction about withdrawing the petition.