Bombay High Court approves Versova slum rehabilitation project

The Bombay High Court has allowed a slum rehabilitation project in Versova, Mumbai. This decision came after the court dismissed a plea from stable owners who have occupied the land for over 60 years. The stable owners had received eviction notices last year from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). They challenged these notices in court, but the judges stated that these individuals did not deserve sympathy or extra compensation. They indicated that those who have illegally occupied land cannot dictate terms regarding its development. The project affects Ramdas Nagar in Versova. One Stop Business Services LLP, a developer, was appointed in 2022 to carry out the rehabilitation scheme. The developer informed the court that while over 400 structures had already been demolished, the stable owners were still resisting the removal of their 11 structures, including six stables. The court learned that the stable owners were delaying the project, causing financial losses. Other displaced residents were reportedly spending ₹ 75 lakh per year on rent due to these delays. The developer also argued that the stable owners had failed to disclose important facts related to their eviction. The judges noted that documents like tax receipts and ration cards do not prove legal ownership of the occupied land. They criticized the stable owners for not cooperating with the authorities and viewing their actions as a form of extortion. The court warned that if delays continued, the redevelopment rights could be terminated. It concluded that the stable owners, deemed trespassers, were not suffering any real harm from the project’s progress.