Full Order Text
Final Order 1 · 28 Jan 2021 · CNR MHCC010040792020
Order Details: Notice of Motion Pdf Text: 1 NM No.1327-2020 IN THE BOMBAY CITY CIVIL COURT AT GREATER MUMBAI NOTICE OF MOTION NO.1327 OF 2020 (CNR NO. MHCC01-004079-2020) IN SUIT NO.1158 OF 2020 M/s. Rishi Enterprises & Others ]...Plaintiff/s Versus MCGM ]..Defendant/s Appearance: Advocate Shri. A.R. Pandey for Plaintiffs. Advocate Shri. Gajanan Shinde a/w Smt. Seema Rawde for defendant (MCGM). CORAM : S.C. Pathare, Judge (Court Room No.5) DATED : 28th January, 2021. ORAL ORDER 1) Plaintiffs have taken out this notice of motion against the notice issued u/s. 351 of the MMC Act. 2) Plaintiffs prayed to issue temporary injunction restraining defendant (corporation) from taking any action against the notice structure, “construction of 4 rooms found beyond approved plan by Dy. Ch. E. Building proposal (City) department of MCGM at Building no.159/2, 4th floor, cavel X lane no.6, Kalbadevi, Mumbai-400002 by way of using material cement blocks for walls, roof made up with M.S.I. Section, A.C. Sheet, M.S. Angle, wooden doors and windows admeasuring (size) of room no.1)L-5.39m X W-4.56m X H3.38m, room No.2) L-5.65m X W-4.53m X H-3.38m, room No.3) L-6.40m X -- 1 of 18 -- 2 NM No.1327-2020 W-3.62m X H3.38m, room No.4) L-5.41m X W4.25m X H-3.38m without taking any prior permission from competent authority i.e. MCGM”. (This unauthorized structure was already demolished twice by the office under notice no. C/DOC/222/354(A)MMC ACT/C53NO1/02.03.2020 dt.04.03.2020 Ref. No.-107122 further noticee approached to City Civil Case No.3541 of 2020 and Hon’ble High Court Writ petition E filling no. 996 of 2020 as per the Hon’ble High Court judgment (writ petition) that the corporation would be at liberty to take appropriate action against the impugned structure in accordance with law). 3) Perused written notes of arguments submitted by plaintiff. On behalf of plaintiff it is argued that the suit building is a cess building having ground + 4 upper floors. The building is in existence much prior to 1940. Therefore, as per MHADA it is in A category. 4) Further on 21/9/2010 plaintiffs took suit building under Deed of Conveyance dated 21/9/2010 registered on 23/9/2010. Therefore, plaintiffs are the purchasers of the building, which is authorized & shown in the sanction plan. Suit building is shown in city survey plans of MCGM. 5) Ld Counsel of plaintiff further argued that in the extracts the building is shown ground + 4 floors and fully authorized. In the year 2010 MBR/MHADA also passed repairing plan/map to that effect. 6) On behalf of plaintiff it is argued that on 4/3/2020 MCGM issued show cause notice u/s.354A of the Act for stopping -- 2 of 18 -- 3 NM No.1327-2020 alleged ongoing structure falsely. However, it was actually served on plaintiff on 12/3/2020 deliberately. Then reply was given to MCGM on 13/3/2020 in which ongoing construction was explained. However, on 16/3/2020 MCGM without passing speaking/final order u/s.354A removed roofs and partition walls of said structure and damaged it. Therefore, law suit No.1042/2020 was filed. Then on 19/3/2020 defendants brought to the notice of the court that they have demolished the said structure, without speaking/final order. According to plaintiff at that time said structure was demolished partly and not fully on 16/3/2020. After service of notice u/s.354A reply was given within 24 hours to MCGM. Despite that without speaking order it was demolished. 7) On 19/3/2020 plaintiffs moved the court against the notice u/s.354A in suit No.1042/2020. Thereafter, on 20/3/2020 there was lock-down due to Covid-19, hence plaintiff could not take any further action. 8) In the first week of June 2020 on 4/6/2020 there was forecast of Cyclone, hence in order to protect the building on 4/2/2020 plaintiffs put cemented roofs on the 4th floor of said premises and further repaired partition walls which were earlier removed and demolished by MCGM. 9) It is further argued that for putting cemented roof & for repairing partition walls does not require permission. 10) It is argued that MCGM passed order on 15/6/2020 in respect of said notice u/s.354A dated 4/3/2020. Thereafter, 17/6/2020 MCGM demolished the entire suit premises on the 4th floor. However, only by way of formality order dated 15/6/2020 was -- 3 of 18 -- 4 NM No.1327-2020 passed, by ignoring documents of plaintiffs & by falsely alleging about ongoing construction. 11) According to arguments of plaintiffs said structure is existing prior to the datum line plaintiff purchased said building in the year 2010-11, therefore they cannot produce documents of 1961- 62. 12) According to plaintiffs Hon’ble High Court during Pandemic Covid passed order dated 19/3/2020 & 26/3/2020 by way of general directions to MCGM. Despite that in violation of said general guidelines said structure was demolished during Covid 19, hence plaintiff had filed w.p. No.996/2020 before Hon’ble High Court, in which orders were passed dated 30/6/2020. Hon’ble High Court found that despite general directions during the period of Covid 19 said structure was demolished by using Sec.354A of the Act, hence plaintiff was permitted to construct said premises. 13) Thereafter, in the meantime plaintiff carried out said reconstruction. W.P. NO.996/2020 came up before the Hon’ble High Court on 16/7/2020 in which MCGM was permitted to take appropriate action as per law. Further, Hon’ble High Court gave liberty to plaintiffs to plead any such other action will not be according to law. Further, Hon’ble High Court held that as to whether any further action is as per law or not is to be decided by the court in appropriate proceeding. 14) On behalf of plaintiff it is argued that MCGM again issued show cause notice u/s. 351 of the Act dated 27/7/2020. It was replied along with documents to MCGM on 5/8/2020. The concern officer passed speaking/final order on 21/8/2020. -- 4 of 18 -- 5 NM No.1327-2020 15) According to Ld Advocate of plaintiff, the said building including notice structure is in existence since long i.e. prior to the datum line. Despite that MCGM has taken action u/s. 351 of the Act unnecessarily. 16) MCGM submitted reply. Ld Advocate on behalf of MCGM vehemently supported action taken by the corporation stating that said unauthorized construction should not be protected at any cost. It is not disputed that notice u/s. 354A of the Act was issued and then said structure was demolished by MCGM during Covid 19 period. It is also admitted position that said structure is reconstructed as per the order of Hon’ble High Court. According to arguments of defendant when previous notice structure was unlawful then even if the same is reconstructed it cannot be termed as the structure having sanction/authorization of MCGM. 17) Along with index plaintiff produced various documents so also along with reply MCGM produced various documents. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the documents whether those are showing authorization or unauthorization of the notice structure. 18) Perusal of order of Hon’ble High Court dtd.30/6/2020 it shows that initially corporation had issued show cause notice u/s.354A dated 4/3/2020. It was replied on 13/3/2020. The designated officer passed speaking order on 15/6/2020. Thereafter, demolition was effected on 17/6/2020. According to Hon’ble High Court said action is contrary to the law laid down by Hon’ble Apex Court in the matter of Sunbeam Hightech Developers. Furthermore, Hon’ble High Court found that despite orders of Hon’ble High Court dated 26/3/2020, 15/4/2020 & 15/6/2020 MCGM took coercive -- 5 of 18 -- 6 NM No.1327-2020 steps and demolished the earlier structure on 17/6/2020. Therefore, Hon’ble High Court permitted plaintiff to reconstruct the roof of 4th floor of the premises and also to reconstruct the internal walls of the 4th floor tenanted premises. 19) Perusal of further order dated 16/7/2020 passed by the Hon’ble High Court it shows that by that time said reconstruction was carried out. Hon’ble High Court kept open all contentions of the parties. Further, it is held that corporation would be at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with law and whether such action would be in accordance with law or not would be decided by the court in appropriate proceedings. 20) Perusal of documents produced by MCGM it shows that inspection was made on 23/7/2020 and report is dated 25/7/2020. Further, show cause notice was issued on 27/7/2020 u/s. 351 of the Act. 21) Perusal of speaking/final order dated 21/8/2020 shows that plaintiff had submitted reply and documents dated 5/8/2020. In the said order documents of plaintiff near about 21 are considered. In the speaking order plaintiff failed to produce authentic documents regarding notice structure such as permission/approval plan from competent authority i.e. executive Engineer(Building Proposal) III of MCGM. Plaintiff also failed to produce document showing existence of structure prior to 1/4/62, which is datum line for commercial structure to be considered in tolerated category for notice structure. The designated officer found that the construction of said four rooms is beyond the approved plan of competent authority, by using material cement blocks for walls, roof made up with M.S. I Section, A.C. Sheet, -- 6 of 18 -- 7 NM No.1327-2020 M.S. Angle, wooden doors and windows admeasuring size of mentioned in the order without permission/authorization of competent authority of MCGM. 22) Admittedly, there are allegations & counter allegations. However, at the outset it is to be noted that on behalf of MCGM copy of Ex-Engineer (B & P) City Plan dtd.3/8/1985 is shown in which it is mentioned that it has been approved by the competent authority. Further, perusal of this authorized plan it shows that said building is having three floors & thereafter there is mezzanine floor. There is no mention expressly regarding existence of 4th floor as claimed by plaintiff. On behalf of plaintiff after getting disclosed this fact effort is made to argue that mezzanine floor & 4th floor are the similar words. However, when said two words are carrying two different meanings in that event it cannot be said that said both the words are one & the same. Therefore, it is crystal clear that this sanction plan of said building is going against plaintiff. 23) Plaintiff relied on copy of registered deed of conveyance dtd. 23/9/2010 & MOU of said transaction dtd. 15/4/2010, wherein there is mention of piece or parcel of land or ground admeasuring 195.65 sq. mtrs. bearing C.S. No.778. In MOU there is mention of purchase of godown No.5 & shop No.1 on ground floor & entire 3rd & 4th floors. However, there is absence of specific mention of the present disputed notice structure & material etc. whenever documents of property are executed in that event it is a duty of seller/transferer to give specific details of such property in such document. It is also duty of purchaser/transferee to get incorporated such details of the property in the document. When there is no mention of notice structure specifically in said documents in that event it is difficult to -- 7 of 18 -- 8 NM No.1327-2020 say that said documents can establish a prima facie case. 24) Plaintiff further relied on copy of Index II dtd. 23/9/2010. However, the same also is not having mention of the said notice structure. Plaintiff produced electricity bill regarding the said 4th floor, however it also does not show whether notice structure is authorized. 25) On behalf of plaintiff Ld Counsel invited my attention on the photocopy of plan issued by Supdt. Bombay City Survey & Land Records. However, perusal of the same reveals that it has only said CTS number & it is having no mention of the notice structure & its authorization. Plaintiff further produced copy of plan dtd. 24/9/1975 issued by City Survey department. Perusal of the same it shows that it is also not having details of notice structure. 26) On behalf of plaintiff reliance is placed on copy of inspection extract of 2010. Perusal of the same it shows that in said extract it is mentioned that it is pertained to 1995-96. In this document 4th floor Room No.401 to 403 are mentioned. Therefore, it appears that in 1995-96 assessment tax of said rooms are paid, however merely for that reason it cannot be said that the notice structure has been authorized. 27) Plaintiff relied on copy of repairing plan issued by MHADA regarding the said building. Perusal of the same makes it clear that it has not been sanctioned by the competent authority. Apart from that if any permission was given by MHADA for repairing in that event nobody is permitted to carryout such extended construction as mentioned in show cause notice. -- 8 of 18 -- 9 NM No.1327-2020 28) Plaintiff produced copy of letter dtd. 1/8/2021 issued by Ex-Engineer of said board to the C ward. Perusal of the same shows that it is dtd. 1/8/2011. However, it does not denote that specific notice structure has been sanctioned by the competent authority of MCGM. 29) It is true that the Ld Counsel of plaintiff shown photocopy of the certificate issued by Architect Patidar Alliance dtd. 30/7/2020 wherein he tried to say that the 4th floor in question is not unauthorized. However, in view of authorized plan of 1983 this certificate is found unconvincing/unreliable at this stage. 30) In view of the various documents it is necessary to consider whether in the month of March 2020 plaintiff party was carrying out unauthorized construction. Perusal of the inspection report (first) dtd.2/3/2020 it shows that in the image therein there is construction material etc. In this report status of work is mentioned as ongoing by using brick masonry wall, M.S. Angle, cement sheet. In the report it is clarified that it was addition & alteration to the existing structure & it was non occupied. Furthermore, perusal of photographs produced by MCGM it shows that on 27/2/2020 said photographs are taken. In the photographs availability of labours/workers & construction material can be seen. Therefore, it is clear that on 2/3/2020 said activity of plaintiff was going on without sanction of the MCGM. In this regard it is necessary to peruse photographs annexed by plaintiff to this suit at pg. No.232 & 233. These are photocopies of the photographs dtd. 13/3/2020, perhaps taken in the afternoon. Perusal of the same it shows that new type of material came to be used/removed. Plaintiff did not show photographs with date whether said notice structure was existing -- 9 of 18 -- 10 NM No.1327-2020 “prior to the datum line”. Moreover, plaintiff did not take efforts to produce original photographs with dates for showing that said notice structure was existing prior to the said first inspection or at the time of his conveyance. On behalf of defendant it is argued that whenever unauthorized extension/addition is carried out in the old building the same is likely to invite some incidents. Admittedly, when the main building is very old in that event plaintiff etc were not justified in beginning such addition/alteration etc without sanction in writing from the competent authority. 31) The Hon’ble High Court on 30/6/2020 pleased to hold that corporation had issued notice u/s.354A on 4/3/2020, thereafter petitioner had submitted reply to BMC on 13/3/2020. Thereafter designated officer passed speaking order dtd. 15/6/2020 & demolished said work on 17/6/2020. It means after passing speaking order it was mandatory on the part of MCGM to wait for 7 days, but just after 2 days they started demolition of said structure by violating law. Apart from that in the said order Hon’ble High Court pleased to observe that during Pandemic Covid 19 from time to time Hon’ble High Court had restrained authorities not to take any coercive steps despite that MCGM carried out said demolition on 17/6/2020. It means said prohibitory orders were ignored by the concerned officers etc of MCGM. Therefore, Hon’ble High Court permitted the said specific reconstruction. (Needless to mention that as per the settled position of law in the main suit plaintiff is entitled to plead & prove cost/damages/compensation for said conduct of officers etc of MCGM). 32) Thereafter, on 16/7/2020 the Hon’ble High Court held that the order dtd. 30/6/2020 was complied, therefore interim -- 10 of 18 -- 11 NM No.1327-2020 application and WP came to be disposed of. However, Hon’ble High Court kept open all contentions of the parties. Hon’ble High Court gave liberty to corporation to take appropriate action in accordance with law. Hon’ble High Court held that whether such action would be in accordance with law or not would be decided by the court in appropriate proceedings. Therefore, thereafter again on 25/7/2020 inspection report was prepared, I have perused it. Defendant produced inspection report dtd. 23/7/2020 regarding said notice structure. Thereafter, MCGM issued show cause notice u/s. 351 of the Act dtd. 27/7/2020. Perusal of the same it shows that said notice is having allegations of said unauthorized structure. Through said notice plaintiff was given 7 days time to reply it & to produce documents. Perusal of the record it shows that show cause notice was replied along with documents. Perusal of speaking/final order dtd. 21/8/2020 goes to show that the designated officer followed due process. He considered near about 21 documents & reply of plaintiff. He came to the conclusion that the said notice structure is not existing since prior to the datum line. He further found that said notice structure is unauthorized. He gave 15 days time to plaintiff. On behalf of plaintiff it is argued that personal hearing was not given. However, recently in the case of Sunbeam in the year 2019 Hon’ble Apex Court made it clear that in each & every case personal hearing is not mandatory. Thus, it is clear that subsequent to Hon’ble High Court’s order dtd. 30/6/2020 & 16/7/2020 the MCGM followed due process. In view of above discussion, it is crystal clear that the notice structure is not authorized by the competent authority of MCGM. 33) Advocate of plaintiff submitted following citations: a) Zenith Mataplast vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors. SC- -- 11 of 18 -- 12 NM No.1327-2020 2009, wherein application for allotment of land was rejected. However, the present matter is on different footing u/s.451 of the MMC Act. Hence, due to different facts & circumstances in my humble view said ruling is not helpful to the plaintiff. b) Joseph Dominic & Anr. vs. MCGM, A.o. No.908/14 (BHC) dtd.12/3/18, wherein plaintiff had purchased the structure & there was no prima facie material to show that the said plaintiff had extended said structure. Therefore, the order of status quo was continued by holding that the question whether plaintiff constructed said structure with permission or whether it is illegal structure are the questions which are required to be decided on merits. However, in the present matter number of documents and photographs are going against plaintiff. Therefore, in my humble view due to different facts & circumstances said ruling is not helpful to plaintiff. c) Pali Hill Tourist Hotel Pvt. Ltd. vs. MCGM,A.o. No.714/14 (BHC) dtd. 6/6/2017, wherein date was not fixed for hearing & final disposal of the motion. Therefore, in the meantime interim relief was granted. It is held that opportunity must be given to the party involved to show authorization of the structure. In the present matter repeated & sufficient opportunities are given to plaintiff to show sanctioned plan/authorization. Hence, these guidelines due to different facts & circumstances are not appearing helpful to plaintiff. d) Kamlabai Pandurang Sonawane vs. MCGM, A.o. No.(St) 18179/17 (BHC), wherein it is held that MCGM is required now to produce its own record relating to said property. In addition the plaintiff will be entitled to tender further documents. To the extend possible the plaintiffs will identify which portion of their documents pertain to which of said structures. It is further held that the trial -- 12 of 18 -- 13 NM No.1327-2020 court may also consider appointing a commissioner for local investigation if thought fit & whether or not sought by the plaintiff. Hon’ble High Court directed trial court to fix a schedule for completing all filings & for disposal of NM. In the present matter both parties shown no interest in appointment of commissioner in any way. In the present matter by giving sufficient opportunities pleadings are completed. According to MCGM they have submitted documents whatever available. Therefore, in my humble view due to different facts & circumstances this citation is not appearing helpful to plaintiff. e) Masood Ahmed Siddiqui vs. MCGM, A.o. No.57/13 (BHC), wherein it is held that conclusion of the Asst. Municipal Commissioner should not be upheld at interlocutory stage. However trial judge has to apply mind independently & impartially. It was held that appellant/plaintiff is entitled to interim injunction. However, in the present matter this court had granted ad interim injunction which is continued yet. Now this court is deciding Notice of Motion by considering the record independently & impartially. Therefore, in my humble view due to different facts & circumstances this citation is not appearing helpful to plaintiff. f) Suresh Shankar Rokade vs. MCGM, A.o. No.276/2018 (BHC-2018), wherein it is held that prima facie case must not be misunderstood that it is an iron cask cake. What is required for party to make out a case for inquiry. The trial court has to see documents available on record which goes to the root of the matter if structure is standing from 1961-62 then it has to be protected. However in the present matter after carefully perusing documents it does not prima facie shows that the specific notice structure was existing prior to datum line. Therefore, in my humble view due to different facts & -- 13 of 18 -- 14 NM No.1327-2020 circumstances this citation is not appearing helpful to plaintiff. g) Ramawatar Babulal Jajodia vs. Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, A.o. No. 1162/2013 dtd. 03/12/2013, wherein it is held that the authorization of structure specifically when there are assessment bills of the year 1995-96 referring to the year 1/4/1996 & other supporting documents such as electricity bills, DP remarks & the conversion of the land for commercial purpose since 1990 cannot be overlooked to deny the protective relief. However, in the present matter I have minutely perused the available documents whether they are showing existence of notice structure prior to the datum line. Therefore, in my humble view due to different facts & circumstances this citation is not appearing helpful to plaintiff. 34) On behalf of MCGM reliance is placed on the case of Mohd Abdul Rashid Hamidani in the matter of Tushar Salian vs. State of Maharashtra PIL No.67/17 & IA No.1/19 dtd 4/10/19 wherein it is held by Hon’ble High Court that the law recognizes distinction between a right requiring to be protected vis-a-vis technical pleas challenging demolition notices. Unless a prima facie case is shown the court should not grant injunction with reference to deficiencies in notices. 35) On behalf of MCGM reliance is placed on Seema Zahir vs. MCGM, SLP 9479/05 dtd 5/5/06(SC) wherein the trial court had granted temporary injunction without material and without a prima facie case. The Hon’ble High Court in Appellate jurisdiction was justified in interfering in the matter and vacating temporary injunction. 36) Vide Sec. 56 & 57 of the Evidence Act regarding said -- 14 of 18 -- 15 NM No.1327-2020 unauthorized construction, it is necessary to consider the law laid down by the Hon'ble High Court Bombay in the case of Tushar Salian V/s. State of Maharashtra PIL No.67/2017 (DB) judgment dated 28/08/2019 and further judgment passed in the same case by the Hon'ble High Court dated 23/09/2019. The Hon'ble High Court held that (i) when the property is governed under Municipal Statute the interest protected has to be with respect to plea that prima facie the structure being targeted is unauthorized structure (ii) the plaint must make averment of sanction obtained from corporation and must make the averment with the structure targeted is prima facie governed by sanction (iii) merely pointing out deficiencies in the notice or the authority of a person issuing the notice is neither here nor there (iv) thus, sine quo non of such suits is positive assertion made with reference to the sanction of building plans. If any plan is produced then the same “must have endorsement of approval” of the corporation. Plaintiff must produce such permission or the approved plan in support of the suit. 37) Apart from that in the case of Sopan Thopte V/s. PMC AIR 1996 (H.C.Bom) 34 and in the case of MCGM V/s. Sunbeam Hightech Developers Pvt. Ltd. 2019 SCC Online 1389 (SC), General guidelines are provided. It is held that the injunctions cannot be granted casually in such suits. Intentional or unintentional lapses, which do not affect the substantive rights ought not to result in protection of unauthorized construction. More particularly, in the case of Sunbeam in para No.2 Hon’ble Apex Court held that, “rule of Law also envisages that illegal constructions which are constructed in violation of law must be demolished and there can be no sympathy towards those who violate law. It is further observed that, “the courts -- 15 of 18 -- 16 NM No.1327-2020 must not be hidebound by old decisions and law must develop in accordance with changing times”. 38) Furthermore, in the case of Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Bansal vs. MCGM W.P. No.1828/19 dtd. 7/1/2020, the Hon’ble High Court Bombay held that while granting stay to such structure trial court has to find out the permission/sanction in that regard and to examine a prima facie case. Thus, in the present matter these guidelines are also appearing against plaintiff. 39) Moreover, as per the provisions of Section 106 of the Evidence Act burden of proving fact which is especially within the knowledge of any person lies upon such person. For example if any person is traveling in railway without a ticket, then burden of proving that he had ticket is on him. Similarly, if a person is found having unauthorized structure then such person is duty-bound to produce permission of corporation or approved plan in that regard. If such person fails to make said legal compliance then such unauthorized structure cannot be protected. 40) In view of above thorough discussion in my humble view plaintiff is not having a prima facie case or balance of convenience in his favour. Further, if Notice of Motion is rejected in that event plaintiff will not suffer any irreparable loss which cannot be compensated in terms of money by MCGM. 41) Considering peculiar facts and circumstances etc, I proceed to pass the following order in the interest of justice: -- 16 of 18 -- 17 NM No.1327-2020 ORDER 1) Notice of Motion No.1327 of 2020 stands dismissed. 2) Said Notice of Motion stands disposed of. 3) Authenticated copy of this roznama be given to parties, if requested. 4) Matter be posted for W.S, if any. 5) The point of cost/compensation/damages will have to be decided after recording evidence in the suit, noted. (S.C. Pathare) Ad-hoc Judge City Civil Court Dictated & directly typed on : 28/1/2021. Checked by PO : 28/1/2021. Signed by HHJ on : 28/1/2021. -- 17 of 18 -- 18 NM No.1327-2020 “CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNED JUDGMENT/ORDER.” UPLOAD DATE AND TIME NAME OF STENOGRAPHER 5/2/2021. Mrs. S.A. Shekade. Name of the Judge (With Court room no.) SHRI S.C. Pathare (Court Room No.05) Date of Pronouncement of JUDGMENT/ORDER 28/1/2021. JUDGMENT/ORDER signed by P.O. on 28/1/2021. JUDGMENT/ORDER uploaded on 5/2/2021. -- 18 of 18 --
