Final Order 1

Order Details: Other
Pdf Text: Daily Status
IN THE COURT OF :COURT 04 ADHOC ASST SESSIONS JUDGE
Case No. :SUIT/0102843/2019
Mr. Premji Keshavji Gala Vs MCGM
Date : 03012023
Business : None for plaintiff. Adv. Mrs. Rawade h/f Adv. Mrs.
Tondwalkar for defendant/BMC is present.
Following order is passed on draft N/M O R D E
R 1. This is a suit to challenge the Show Cause
Notice under Section 351 of the MMC issued by
the Corporation and the plaintiff prayed for
interim injunction restraining the defendant/
Corporation from implementing the notice. 2. It is
the contention of the plaintiff that he is a tenant of
the suit structure and he is in possession of the suit
structure from the date of construction of suit
building. The plaintiff has challenged notice on
various grounds. It is the main contention of the
plaintiff that the impugned notice has not been
served upon him and it is served only upon the
landlord. It is his further contention that the
impugned notice ought to have been served upon
him and given opportunity of putforth his case. It
is a matter of record that previously notice under
Section 351 of the MMC Act was given to the
plaintiff which was challenged by him, by filing
suit L.C. No.165/2012. This Court has decreed the
said suit with liberty to the Corporation to take
action only after correcting the defects as observed
by the Court and by following due process of the
law. 3. Advocate for the corporation submitted
that the Corporation has issued fresh notice to the
landlord as per the observations of this Court in
L.C. Suit No.165/2012. He further submitted that
corporation has follow due process of law. 4.
Admittedly the impugned notice has not been
issued to the Plaintiff. The plaintiff is a tenant and
he in possession of suit structure since 1987. The
plaintiff being a tenant has interest in the suit
structure. It is well settled that where the rights of
the person are adversely and prejudicially affected
by an order made by the Authority, such person is
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entitled for notice and no decision should be taken
in such proceeding without first giving the person
adversely affected an opportunity of putting his
case. An order of demolition of structure under
Section 351 of the MMC Act results in serious civil
consequences leading to loss of money and
property. Moreover, my Ld. Predecessor while
granting adinterim relief observed that the
interpretation of the word used in the Section 351
of the MMC Act is applicable when the owner
himself is in occupation of the suit structure. In
other words, if person other than the owner is in
occupation of the suit structure, then mere notice
to the owner will not be sufficient. 5. In this case
on hand the impugned notice has not been served
upon plaintiff. Therefore, in view of the settled
principle of law and facts of the case interest of the
justice would be served if fair opportunity is given
to the plaintiff to Show Cause to the notice.
Therefore, in my view, if defendant/Corporation is
requested to serve impugned notice to the plaintiff
and decide issue again after giving opportunity to
the plaintiff to submit reply and documents, will
curtail further litigation as well as resolve the
dispute at the earliest. The interest of justice will
be served by adopting this course of action. Hence
I pass following order O R D E R 1. Assistant
Engineer/ Designated Officer to issue impugned
notice to the plaintiff and give opportunity to him
to submit reply and document as per provisions of
Section 351 of The Mumbai Municipal Corporation
Act and pass fresh Speaking Order. 2. It is made
clear that the defendant/Corporation not to take
further action based upon the impugned notice till
Assistant Commissioner/Designated Officer decide
the issue again after giving opportunity to the
plaintiff. 3. The Assistant Commissioner/
Designated Officer to dispose off the issue as
expeditiously as possible. 4. The earlier order to
continue for two weeks thereafter passing fresh
Speaking Order if the adverse is passed against the
plaintiff. 5. In view of the observations above
made, nothing remains in the suit, therefore, suit
as well as Notice of Motion is disposed of. 6. Draft
N/M be registered for statistical purpose.
Nature of Disposal : OTHER
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Disposal Date : 03012023
COURT 04 ADHOC ASST SESSIONS JUDGE
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