Full Order Text
Final Order 1 · 19 Sept 2020 · CNR MHCC010069082018
Order Details: Notice of Motion Pdf Text: NM 2134-2018 1 St. No. 271-2018 MHCC010069082018 IN THE CITY CIVIL COURT FOR GREATER BOMBAY AT MUMBAI. ORDER ON AD INTERIM RELIEF ON NOTICE OF MOTION NO 2134 of 2018 (CNR NO.MHCC01006908-2018) IN L.C. STAMP N0.271 OF 2018 1. Brahmajyoti B-Wing Tenants ] Association (Proposed) and 2 Ors. ] ... Plaintiff Versus Municipal Corporation of Greater ] Mumbai. ]...Defendant ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appearances:- Ld. Adv. Mr. Ashok Sarogi for the Plaintiff. Ld. Adv. Mr.Abhijit Mangande defendant / MCGM. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CORAM : HIS HONOUR JUDGE SHRI U.J.MORE (Court Room no. 8) DATED : 19th September, 2020 O R A L O R D E R O N N O T I C E O F M O T I O N 1. This is a motion taken out by plaintiff for temporary -- 1 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 2 St. No. 271-2018 injunction to restrain the defendant from taking action in view of notice dated 15.01.2018 issued Under Section 354A of MMC Act. 2. Perused affidavit in reply-cum-written statement submitted by defendants Plaintiff's case is narrated as follows : 3. The plaintiff No.1 is an unregistered Association and is in the process of registration and the Plaintiff No.2 and 3 are the Chairman and the Secretary of the Plaintiff No.1. The suit property known as “Brahmjyoti Building B” is consisting of ground floor plus two upper floors and is having as many as 69 tenants within the said building. 4. According to the plaintiffs there were 69 tenants residing in the suit property. The owner Mirani family has started redevelopment of the said property in phased wise manner and accordingly by utilizing the services of the Municipal Corporation, have succeeded in getting necessary notices under the provision of section 354 of BMC Act in respect of buildings and thereafter under the guise of said notices, have been successful in getting the building evicted and thereafter had started construction of regular tower upon the said property. -- 2 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 3 St. No. 271-2018 5. It is stated that, the purpose of carrying on construction of the said tower, the said Mirani family had also used and prepared and submitted forged and fabricated documents with office of the Corporation. Accordingly, the office of the Corporation is hand in glove with the said Mirani Family. 6. It is stated that, however, in the present case, instead of making properly arrangements for the tenants, the said owners are trying to utilize the services of the Defendants herein-above and in view of thereof, all the tenants have formed their Association of the Plaintiff No.1. 7. It is stated that, in continuation to the same, the said owners had also engaged the services of the one M/s. System Structural Consultants Pvt. Ltd., allegedly Structural Engineers. The Plaintiffs state the that accordingly the owners of the said building, in collusion with the said Structural Engineer obtained a certificate/report from the said firm way back in the year 2007 or so mentioning therein that the building in question is in dilapidated condition. 8. The Plaintiffs has objected to the reports of Structural Audit -- 3 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 4 St. No. 271-2018 Report submitted by the landlord to the MCGM by objected by letter dated 04/12/2017. The Plaintiffs have appointed independent Structural Auditor by name M/s. N. S. Structural Consultant pvt. Ltd. to carried out independent Structural audit in respect of said building. The officers of persons from auditing the structure of the said property. 9. It is stated that, the building in question is very much in repairable condition and despite the same, only because the landlord of the said building in question intends to carry out redevelopment under the guise of the notice under the provision of section 354 of BMC Act and the tenants are sought to be evicted from the said premises. 10. It is therefore, prayed to issue temporary injunction order restrain the defendant corporation from implementing the Notice dated 10/01/2018 issued Under Section 354 of BMC Act and also further restrained from taking any action of evicting the members of the plaintiffs and/or demolishing any part of the building in suit property. 11. Defendant corporation has strongly resisted the suit by filing affidavit in reply submitted that prior Notice Under Section 557 given Under Section MMC Act, before filing this suit. Defendant corporation is submitted that plaintiffs has not produce any name -- 4 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 5 St. No. 271-2018 reservation certificate for the said proposed association. The impugned notice is issued to the “Brahamjyoti Building-B wing” and they are served with the same. Therefore, there is no question that impugned notice is served on “Arunoday Building-A” which is no where related to the “Brahmjyoti Building – B Wing” the notice was issued to the all tenants. The Plaintiffs have no locus standee to file this in the representative capacity. 12. On 30/01/2018 As per directions by Hon’ble High Court to MCGM has file an affidavit regarding the compliance of the guildlines envisaged in Writ Petition No.1135 of 2014. The defendant corporation has received complaint from Shri. Sharad S. Jani, regarding informing dilapidated condition of the building and to issue the notice Under Section 353 (B) of MMC Act to the said building. 13. After inspection of the said building the defendant corporation found that dilapidated condition of the said building and accordingly notice issued Under Section 353-B of MMC Act is issued to the owner of the said building. Which was received by the owner on 24/06/2017. After receiving Structural Audit Report dated 31/10/2017 the building was classified as C-1 category building and completing 58 years. -- 5 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 6 St. No. 271-2018 14. Defendant corporation has issued a letter to each and every tenants of the said building on 14/11/2017 regarding the Structural Audit Report by giving fair opportunity of 15 days’ time against the Structural Audit Report. The copy of said letter dated 14/11/2017 alongwith the acknowledgment is filed on record. 15. None of the tenants have filed any objection to the notice dated 10/01/2018. The notice was also pasted in the said building premises for the information to all residents. These plaintiffs have not challenged the notice regarding the suit premises rather they have challenged notice issue to the “Arunoday Building A wing.” 16. In view of aforesaid rival contention, following points arise for determination and findings thereon are narrated as follows: SR.NO. POINTS FINDINGS 1. Whether plaintiff prove a prima facie case? No. 2. Whether balance of convenience lies in favour of plaintiff? No. 3. Whether it will cause irreparable loss to plaintiff, if injunction as claimed is No. -- 6 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 7 St. No. 271-2018 refused? 4. What order? N.M. is rejected ARGUMENTS 17. Ld. Adv. Mr. Ashok Sarogi for plaintiffs has pithily submitted that, the notice issued Under Section 354 of the MMC Act to the suit premises is illegal. The Structural Audit Report filed by the owner is not admitted by the plaintiffs and whereas, the Structural Audit Report filed by the plaintiffs needs to be considered. The suit building can be carried out the tenable repairs considered the Structural Audit Report of plaintiffs and therefore, prayed for injunction against the defendant corporation. 18. Ld. Adv. Mr. Abhijit Mangade pithily submitted that, plaintiffs have challenged notice of “Arunoday Building A wing”. The corporation never received Structural Audit Report of M/s. N. S. Consultants Pvt. Ltd. Filed by the Plaintiffs “Tenants Association”. The building is old more than 58 years which is need to be vacated, demolish and pull down immediately. REASONS FOR ORDER -- 7 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 8 St. No. 271-2018 AS TO POINT NO.1 to 3: 19. After going through all the documents filed by the plaintiffs alongwith the affidavit, it transpires that, plaintiffs come with the case that the Structural Audit Report filed by the Structural Consultant Private Limited is filed by the landlord with hand in gloves with the corporation. The notice dated 10/01/2018 is illegal and therefore the plaintiffs alongwith all the tenants has issued letter to the corporation on 15/01/2018 Under Section 354 of MMC Act is invited notice at the instance of landlord as per the say of the plaintiffs. I have gone through the notice it transpires that further inspection of the building by the corporation they found the dangerous condition of the building and therefore, notice Under Section 353-B was issued on 22/06/2017 to the landlord. Accordingly, the landlord carried out Structural Audit. 20. The Structural Audit Report of “Brahmjyoti Building B wing, Mirani Nagar, T.J. Mirani Estate, transpires that, “Classification of building – Category – C1 – Auditor's Final conclusion – To be evacuated/demolished immediately”. This report was also sent to all tenants on 14/11/2017. The permission -- 8 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 9 St. No. 271-2018 to seek additional time to file reply ask by the plaintiffs with letter dated 15/01/2018 and the question is whether the second Structural Audit Report of M/s. N. S. Consultant Pvt. Ltd. is filed on record. As per the plaintiffs they have send M/s. N. S. Consultant report. Whereas it is denied by the defendant corporation. The officers of the defendant corporation have filed the affidavit on 16/09/2020 which transpires that the defendant has received one letter dated 31/10/2018 submitted to the MCGM informing submition of Structural Audit Report. But this letter without any Structural Audit Report. He has also relied on the copy of defendant corporation letter dated 27/11/2018 informing that no Structural Audit Report has been receive alongwith plaintiffs letter dated 31/10/2018. The letter is supported by the postal acknowledgment dated 27/11/2018. It is to be narrated that the BMC officers also state on solemnly affirmation that, plaintiff has carried out repairs presently and approached this Court with unclean hands. In support he has filed photographs. 21. Roznama dated 12/02/2018 transpires that, the rejoinder to draft Notice of Motion was filed by the advocate for the plaintiff but no where reveals that the copy of Structural Audit report attached to rejoinder was received by defendant corporation. It seems that, the copy of Structural Audit Report of attached to copy of rejoinder of plaintiff is -- 9 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 10 St. No. 271-2018 not Exhibited or taken on record as per roznama. It is surprising that, the plaintiffs kept mum since last two year. As the ad-interim injunction order is in favour of plaintiffs against the defendant corporation nobody has raised existence of second Structural Audit Report filed on behalf of the plaintiffs. 22. It is mandatory as per the guideline observed by the our Hon’ble High Court in Writ Petition No.1135 of 2014 that if there are contradictory Structural Audit Reports. The matter should be referred to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) but in this case considered the roznama and the letter issued by the defendant corporation specifically transpires that no Structural Audit Reports were received by the defendant corporation which were allegedly submitted by the plaintiffs to the corporation. The plaintiff's act is suspicious as no efforts taken to make complaint to court also for referring matter to TAC in last 2 years if having second Structural Audit Report. 23. Therefore, I am of the opinion that the Structural Audit Report of the M/s. N. S. Consultant Pvt. Ltd cannot be considered at this stage. Considering the fact and the circumstances of the case of dilapidated building. -- 10 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 11 St. No. 271-2018 24. It is well settled that the discretionary powers have to be used judiciously. The discretion of the court is exercised to grant a temporary injunction only when the following requirements are made out by the plaintiff: (I) existence of a prima facia case as pleaded, necessitating protection of plaintiff's rights by issue of a temporary injunction; (II) When the need for protection of plaintiff's rights is compared with or weighed against the need for protection of defendant's rights or likely infringement of defendant's rights, the balance of convenience tilting in favour of plaintiff; and (iii) clear possibility of irreparable injury being caused to plaintiff if the temporary injunction is not granted. In addition, temporary injunction being an equitable relief, the discretion to grant such relief will be exercised only when the plaintiff's conduct is free from blame and he approaches the court with clean hands. 25. In Seema Arshad Zaheer & Ors. V/s. Municipal Corporation -- 11 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 12 St. No. 271-2018 of Greater Mumbai & Ors. (Special Leave Petition (civil) No. 9479 of 2005 dated 05/05/2006), in Para 30, it is observed as follows: "It is true that in cases relating to orders for demolition of buildings, irreparable loss may occur if the structure is demolished even before trial, and an opportunity to establish by evidence that the structure was authorized and not illegal. In such cases, where prima facie case is made out, the balance of convenience automatically tilts in favour of plaintiff and a temporary injunction will be issued to preserve status quo. But where the plaintiffs do not make out a prima facie case for grant of an injunction and the documents produced clearly show that the structures are unauthorized, the court may not grant a temporary injunction merely on the ground of sympathy or hardship. To grant a temporary injunction, where the structure is clearly unauthorized and the final order passed by the Commissioner (of the Corporation) after considering the entire material directing demolition, is not shown to suffer from any infirmity, would be to encourage and perpetuate an illegality. We may refer to the following observations of this Court in M.I. Builders Pvt. Ltd. v. Radhey Shyam Sahu [1999(6) SCC 464] made in a different context : "This Court in numerous decisions has held that no -- 12 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 13 St. No. 271-2018 consideration should be shown to the builder or any other person where construction is unauthorized. This dicta is now almost bordering the rule of law. Stress was laid by the appellant and the prospective allottees of the shops to exercise judicial discretion in moulding the relief. Such a discretion cannot be exercised which encourages illegality or perpetuates an illegality. Unauthorized construction, if it is illegal and cannot be compounded, has to be demolished. There is no way out. Judicial discretion cannot be guided by expediency. Courts are not free from statutory fetters. Justice is to be rendered in accordance with law. Judges are not entitled to exercise discretion wearing the robes of judicial discretion and pass orders based solely on their personal predilections and peculiar dispositions. Judicial discretion wherever it is requires to be exercised has to be in accordance with law and set legal principles." 26. Considering aforesaid discussion, there is no balance of convenience lies in favour of plaintiff. Plaintiff has abused the process of law. There are no sufficient grounds to believe that photographs and documents filed about Notice Structure shows the buildings needs to be demolished and evacuated immediately. -- 13 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 14 St. No. 271-2018 27. This observation of inspection note as well as Structural Report transpires the condition of building in a dangerous position which needs to be evacuated immediately and demolished for the safety of the all the persons. 28. The highlights of the guidelines given by the Honourable division bench of our Hon’ble High Court in Writ Petition number 1135 of 2014. 6 Section 354 of the said Act reads as under- "Dangerous Structures 354 Removal of structures, etc., which are in ruins or likely to fall. - (1) If it shall at any time appear to the Commissioner that any structure (including under this expression any building, wall or other structure and anything affixed to or projecting from, any building, wall or other structure) is in a ruinous conditions, or likely to fall, or in 6 wpl1135-14-24.6.2014.sxw any way dangerous to any person occupying, resorting to or passing by such structure or any other structure or place in the neighbourhood thereof, the Commissioner may, by written notice, require the owner or occupier of such structure to pull down, secure or repair such structure, subject to the provisions of section 342, and to prevent all cause of danger therefrom. The Commissioner may also if he thinks fit, require -- 14 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 15 St. No. 271-2018 the said owner or occupier, by the said notice, either forthwith or before proceeding to pull down, secure or repair the said structure, to set up a proper and sufficient hoard or fence for the protection of passers by and other persons, with a convenient platform and handrail, if there be room enough for the same and the Commissioner shall think the same desirable, to serve as a footway for passengers outside of such hoard or fence." The Corporation will, before classifying a building under category C-1, conduct their own independent inspection and assessment with the help of the Engineers of their Department and carry out a survey of such building(s). The report of Structural Audit shall be taken into account. The Corporation shall consider the report of Structural Engineer appointed by the owners and/or occupants classifying the building as dilapidated and dangerous. If the owners and/or the occupants bring conflicting reports on the status of the building, the Corporation shall refer the matter to Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) under the Chairmanship of Director (ES&P) with at least 3 other members, viz. City Engineer, Chief Engineer (DP) and Chief Engineer (P&D). The TAC shall: i) Carry out a visual inspection of the state of the -- 15 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 16 St. No. 271-2018 internal and external plaster, plumbing, drainage, whether the doors and windows close properly, whether steel in columns is exposed, whether there is settlement in the foundation, deflections/ sagging, major cracks in columns/beams, seepages/leakages, staircase area and column condition, lift well walls, U.G. tank, O.H. tank column condition, parapet at terraces, chhajas, common areas, terrace water proofing. ii) Carry out specific tests like ultrasonic pulse velocity test, rebound hammer test, half cell potential test, carbonation depth test, core test, chemical analysis, cement aggregate ratio as may be considered by TAC as necessary. If it is found after due notice that the building(s) is in a highly dangerous or in dilapidated condition, then in that event, the Corporation shall also make a list of the names of the tenants and/or occupiers in the said building and the carpet area of the premises in their respective occupation and possession including the floor at which the same has been occupied. A copy of such list will be furnished to the landlord and/or owner/builder of the said building. The Corporation thereafter, will issue a notice under section 354 of the said Act calling upon such tenants and/or occupiers to vacate the said premises and if -- 16 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 17 St. No. 271-2018 such notice under section 354 of the said Act has already been issued, then in that event the Corporation will give 7 days' notice to such tenants/occupiers, copies whereof will be furnished to the landlord for vacating the said building(s). If such tenant and/or occupier is not available, the Corporation shall affix such notice or Letter of Evacuation on any part of such premises. The Corporation shall then take steps to turn off the water, supply, electric power and gas to such building immediately before the removal of occupiers. In the case of a municipal owned building(s), the Corporation will issue Letter of Evacuation to every person in occupation of the said building or part thereof to vacate the said building along with their belongings within the said period of 7 days from date of issuance of such notice of Letter of Evacuation in respect of municipal owned building(s). The notice issued to such occupiers shall contain the name of the occupier and the area in his occupation and also the floor at which the premises are located. In case, if such tenant and/or occupier is not available, the Corporation shall affix such notice or Letter of Evacuation on any part of such premises. In the event, a person occupying such tenement whether of the privately owned building(s) or -- 17 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 18 St. No. 271-2018 building(s) owned by Corporation or any other authority refuses to vacate the said premises, then the police shall remove such person from the said premises by using nominal force if required for the same. The police may use such force as is reasonably necessary to remove such person and/or occupiers and/or allottee along with their belongings from the said premises, without causing damage to their movables. The Corporation may then demolish such dangerous and dilapidated building. The rights of the tenants and/or occupiers and/or owners in respect of the said premises/property will not be affected by virtue of evacuation or demolition carried out by the Corporation of such dilapidated and dangerous building in exercise of the power under section 354 of the said Act or by virtue of the fact that the Corporation is the owner of the premises. Such tenant and/or occupier and/or owner will be entitled to re-occupy the premises in respect of the same area after the reconstruction of the building, subject to the prevalent provisions of law pertaining to redevelopment of the property or subject to any arrangement or agreement arrived at by and between such tenants and/or occupiers with the owner of the -- 18 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 19 St. No. 271-2018 building. Any action of evacuation/removal/demolition will not affect the inter se rights of owners if there be more than one owner or there is a dispute as to the title of the property. If there are any pending suits/proceedings and there are any restraint orders passed, the Corporation shall be free to apply for vacating and/or modifying such orders, which applications shall be decided on its own merits and in accordance with law. In respect of the private owned buildings, if such building falls in cessed category as contemplated under the provisions of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976, then in that event, it will be the duty of MHADA/ MBR&RB to provide temporary alternate arrangement in a transit camp for transit accommodation, in accordance with law, as early as possible. In case privately owned buildings are demolished by the Corporation in exercise of power under Section 354 read with the present order, then the Corporation shall, while granting sanction of redevelopment, impose a condition in IOD (Intimation of Disapproval) that no Commencement Certificate will be issued under section 45 of the MRTP Act, 1966 unless and until an Agreement either providing a Permanent -- 19 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 20 St. No. 271-2018 Alternate Accommodation in a newly constructed building or a settlement is arrived at by and between the tenants and/or occupiers and the landlord in respect of the said demolished premises, is filed with the Corporation at the earliest. It is reiterated that this order covers only C-1 category buildings which are unsafe and declared as dangerous, and the demolition, if any, shall be carried out by the Corporation in accordance with law and in no manner pre-empts/curtails the rights of any person/s from objecting and/or approaching the Court and if a case is made out to pass appropriate orders on its own merits and in accordance with law. It is also clarified that during the interregnum, in appropriate cases, the Corporation would be at liberty to take all safety measures, including propping up, etc., of the buildings/premises and enclose/fence the surrounding area in accordance with law. 29. Considering the above ratio of W.P. No.1135 of 2014 seems that the defendant corporation has complied of the circular dated 25th May, 2018 as per point wise 1.02, 1.03, 1.04 (Tenants occupants structural audit report) 1.05, 1.07, 1.08 (issuance of notice under 354 MMC act to pull down the building). Therefore, it is crystal clear that the corporation has complied in view of the direction of bounded Hon’ble High Court Writ Petition number 1135 of 2014 and the MCGM -- 20 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 21 St. No. 271-2018 circular dated 25th May, 2018 the compliance is covered by the corporation till point number 1.08. 30. As far as regarding point number 1.09, it is bounden duty of an owner to submit Area Statement in writing including the names of the occupants of the building from his record the area in occupation and location of premises in occupation position of each of the respective occupiers or tenants as the case may be alongwith the supporting document the list submitted by the owner shall be certified by the assistant commissioner. 31. In failure the officer of the corporation shall make a list of the name of the tenants /occupiers in the said building and the carpet area of the premises in there is their respective occupation and position including the floor at which the same has been occupied and copy shall be given to the tenants occupiers. Honours the inspection report alongwith the inventory report photographs, video shooting shall be kept on record the corporation can take help of the approved plans and then certified the area as per approved plan in absence of approved plan the existing area in occupation of tenants occupants shall be certified by the municipal officer and it will be final. -- 21 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 22 St. No. 271-2018 32. On this point the corporation has not complied as a document file on record that is bound and duty of the corporation to prepare the Area Statement and certified it if it is not complied by the owner. The failure on the part of the owner can be subject to the action taken by the corporation as per law but the Area Statement is mandatory for the rights of the tenants’ occupiers in the building. 33. The corporation has acted bonafidely and lastly issued notice under 354 for the evacuation of suit premises being in a dangerous position for the safety of tenant/ occupants and plaintiff also. I am of the concrete opinion that the plaintiffs have not come with clean hands. They cannot avoid responsibility to coordinate with the corporation for safe evacuation of a tenant's/ occupier from the suit building. It is bounden duty of the plaintiffs to protect the rights of the tenants and occupiers which doesn't seems that it is compiled in this case. 34. It is settled principle of law that one who seek equity shall stand on his own legs therefore the relief of temporary injunction cannot be granted in these circumstances of the case in favour of the plaintiffs. Accordingly, I pass the following order. -- 22 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 23 St. No. 271-2018 ORDER 1) The prayers (a) and (b)notice of motion is rejected being devoid of merit. 2) The defendant corporation would be at liberty to take all safety measures, including propping up, at etc. Of the building /premises and enclose/fence the surrounding area in accordance with law. 3) The defendant corporation is at liberty to take effective steps as per the guideline given by the Hon’ble High Court in Writ Petition number 1135 of 2014 and shall act in accordance with law. 4) The inter se rights of the tenants/ occupiers /owners will not be affected by virtue of evacuation order or demolition carried out by the corporation of such dilapidated and dangerous building in excess of the power under section 354 of the MMC Act. 5) N.M. No.2134 of 2018 is disposed of accordingly. (U.J.More) Judge, City Civil & Sessions Court, Mumbai. Date : 19/09/2020. 1. Dictated on : 19/09/2020 2. Transcribed on : 19/09/2020 3. Signed on : 19/09/2020 -- 23 of 24 -- NM 2134-2018 24 St. No. 271-2018 “CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNED JUDGMENT/ORDER” UPLOAD DATE AND TIME NAME OF STENOGRAPHER 21/09/2020. at 5:00 p.m. Mr.G.R.Suryawanshi Name of the Judge (with Court Room no.) HHJ Shri U.J.More. (Court Room No.08). Date of Pronouncement of Judgment/Order 19/09/2020. Judgment/Order signed by P.O. on 19/09/2020. Judgment/Order uploaded on 21/09/2020. -- 24 of 24 --
