The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cleared all unauthorized structures following sharp reprimands from the Supreme Court. During proceedings on Wednesday, senior advocate RP Bhatt, representing the municipal body, informed the bench that the judicial directions regarding the removal of encroachments had been comprehensively executed. Acknowledging the prompt compliance, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant observed that the outcome would not have materialized without the counsel's direct intervention.
Senior Counsel Tenders Personal Apology Before the Bench
During the courtroom exchange, BMC's senior counsel RP Bhatt offered an unreserved personal apology to the judges. Bhatt admitted that he had previously been defending the civic officials, but came to realize the lapse in their conduct. He formally expressed his regret directly to all members of the bench, while giving an explicit assurance that a formal compliance affidavit documenting the clearance would be placed on record either on Wednesday or Thursday.
Salary Withholding Order and Contempt Action Compelled Action
The swift municipal action follows intense judicial dissatisfaction voiced by the apex court on Tuesday over the civic body's failure to enforce an earlier ruling on encroachment removal. Taking serious exception to the delay, the court had ordered the withholding of the BMC commissioner's salary and initiated contempt proceedings against the top administrative officer.
Five Lakh Rupee Penalty Imposed for Seeking Further Time
The Supreme Court had also taken a stern view of the civic administration's procedural foot-dragging, slapping a fine of 5 lakh rupees on the BMC when it sought additional time to carry out the demolition drive. The punitive combination of contempt notices, financial sanctions, and the personal salary freeze on the commissioner compelled the municipal apparatus to act immediately and eliminate all specified illegal constructions across the city.
