Mumbai, February 24: The Bombay High Court directed actors Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan to file representation to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) against a notice issued to them for acquiring a portion of their bungalow Pratiksha, in Juhu.
The Bachchans had moved the High Court this week, challenging notices issued to them by the civic body. A division bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and S M Modak, directed them to file a representation to the BMC within 2 weeks.
The court said, "Once the representation is filed, the BMC shall hear and take a decision six weeks thereafter. Once a decision is taken, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioners for three weeks."
The petition sought for the BMC notices to be quashed and an injunction restraining the civic body from taking any action towards acquisition of the land.
Bachchans deputed their representatives to attend the BMC office and inquire about the notices and discuss the matter with civic officials. They pointed out to BMC officials that it will be easier for the civic body to widen the street on the opposite side of the location of the plots.
The plea stated that for 4 years and 9 months, till January 28, 2022, no action was taken by BMC to implement the notices. Till then, the petitioners assumed that the notices issued were dropped and hence no objection was communicated.
The petition stated that the impugned notices do not take into account the building structures existing on the plots, which cannot be demolished as per the MMC Act.
The BMC has not issued any notices to other holders of plots on the same side of the road and no action was taken by them for widening the stretch of road showing disparity in action, the petition claimed.