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Final Order 1 · 14 Feb 2023 · CNR MHCC010084912019
Order Details: Notice of Motion Pdf Text: 1 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) MHCC010084912019 IN THE CITY CIVIL COURT FOR GREATER BOMBAY AT MUMBAI NOTICE OF MOTION No.3112 OF 2019 IN LONG CAUSE SUIT No.2182/2019 Anuradha Holdings Private Limited … Plaintiff Versus Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai & Anr. ... Defendants Appearance : Mr. Bhadang with Mr. Adke, Advocates for plaintiff. Mrs. Tondwalkar, Advocate for defendant No.1. Mr. Hardik Desai, Advocate for defendant No.2. CORAM : S. H. SALUNKHE, ADHOC JUDGE CITY CIVIL COURT, COURT ROOM NO.4. DATED : 14/02/2023. O R D E R . This is suit for declaration that notice under Section 53 (1) of The Maharashtra Regional And Town Planning Act (in short the M.R.T.P. Act) dated 25/6/2019 issued by the defendant/Corporation be declared as illegal and bad in law and for consequential relief of permanent injunction restraining defendant/Corporation or anybody through it from taking any action in pursuance of notice and the plaintiff taken out present Notice of Motion for temporary injunction restraining defendant No.1/Corporation from taking action of demolition against notice structure. -- 1 of 17 -- 2 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) 2] Brief facts of the plaintiff's case are that plaintiff is a Company incorporated under the provisions of The Companies Act, 1956. The plaintiff is owner of share certificates bearing No.15 and 16 issued by Universal Majestic Premises Cooperative Society Ltd. (in short said building). The plaintiff is in possession of units No.701 to 712 on 7th floor admeasuring 2,508.36 Sq. Mtrs. and units No.801 to 812 on 8th floor admeasuring 2,508.36 Sq. Mtrs. of said building (in short “suit premises”). 3] It is further contended that by registered Agreements for Sale dated 2/12/2015 defendant No.2 sold and conveyed the entire 7th and 8th floors to the plaintiff on ownership basis. Prior entering into Agreements for Sale dated 2/12/2015 defendant No.2 had given suit premises to Loreal India Private Limited under registered Leave & Licence agreements dated 24/8/2011 for a period of 5 years. 4] It is further contended that after execution of agreements for sale dated 2/12/2015 and Agreements of Sale dated 24/8/2011 the plaintiff alongwith defendant No.2 and Loreal India Private Limited entered into a tripartite agreement dated 14/12/2015. It is further contended that it is evident that the plaintiff never been in actual physical occupation of said premises since execution of Agreements for Sale dated 2/12/2015 and even prior thereto the actual possession has either always been with defendant No.2 or Loreal India Private Limited. 5] It is further contended that all interiors and alterations in said premises were carried out by defendant No.2 prior to execution of agreements for sale dated 2/12/2015 and the plaintiff has purchased said premises in the same condition as it was in existence prior to execution of agreement for sale dated 2/12/2015. Prior to execution of -- 2 of 17 -- 3 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) agreements for sale dated 2/12/2015 defendant No.2 represented the plaintiff that suit premises has been constructed as per sanctioned plan and alterations were not carried out without due permission of requisite authorities. 6] It is further contended that after execution of Agreements for Sale the plaintiff received notice under Section 488 of The Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act (in short the M.M.C. Act) to carry out inspection of said premises. It is further contended that on inquiry it was informed to the plaintiff that there are some alterations in suit premises which are in deviation from sanctioned plan, however same can be regularization upon payment of penalties. It is further contended that the plaintiff through architect M/s. Kayam Design Consultants submitted proposal for regularization dated 15/2/2019 to defendant No.1. It is further contended that proposed alterations deals with change of user and amalgamation of certain areas and no alteration of any horizontal or vertical extension beyond approved plan. 7] It is further contended that building required fire audit as directed by Mumbai Fire Brigade hence the plaintiff approached Chief Fire Officer in respect of proposal dated 15/2/2019 and has paid a sum of Rs.2,64,000/. It is further contended that the plaintiff's regularization proposal dated 15/2/2019 and granting NOC by Chief Fire Officer have resulted in deemed acceptance of said regularization proposal. Defendant No.1 has not informed the plaintiff of any additional compliance for approval of proposal within 60 days of receipt of proposal dated 15/2/2019 as mandated by the Development Control Regulations Rules. -- 3 of 17 -- 4 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) 8] It is further contended that after completion of above procedures the plaintiff received notice dated 14/6/2019 under Section 488 of the M.M.C. Act for inspection. It is further contended that despite pending proposal and completion of all formalities the plaintiff was shocked and surprised to receive notice under Section 53 (1) of the M.R.T.P. Act dated 25/6/2019 calling upon the plaintiff to alter said premises and on failure to comply the plaintiff would be liable for prosecution. 9] It is further contended that the plaintiff replied notice on 22/7/2019. It is further contended that in the absence of rejection of proposal within 60 days proposal deemed to be approved and no action can be taken by defendant No.1. The plaintiff learnt that defendant No.2 has already amended sanctioned plan so as to utilize balance FSI with respect to building plot so also occupation certificate in respect of approved amended plans is yet to be granted by defendant No.1. It is further contended that the plaintiff submitted proposal dated 15/2/2019 to defendant No.1 holding defendant No.1 liable either to accept or reject proposal within 60 days in absence thereof proposal deemed to have approved. 10] It is further contended that defendant No.2 has already amended sanctioned plan so as to utilize balance FSI and submitted approval to defendant No.1 which is contrary to the representations made to the plaintiff. Therefore, the plaintiff filed suit and took out Notice of Motion for temporary injunction. 11] Defendant No.1/Corporation resisted Notice of Motion by filing reply cum Written Statement below exhibit6. At the outset, it is stated that suit is not maintainable for want of statutory notice under -- 4 of 17 -- 5 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) Section 527 of the M.M.C. Act. The plaint does not disclose cause of action against defendant. This suit is to challenge notice under Section 53 (1) of the M.R.T.P. Act. The plaintiff has not given description of property as per OrderVII Rule3 of The Code of Civil Procedure (in short the C.P.C.). Merely, it has given description of suit property as units No.701 to 712 of 7th floor and 801 to 812 of 8th floor though notice has been given specific mentioning unauthorized development beyond the sanctioned plan. 12] It is further stated that on 22/6/2019 during routine round the officer of the Corporation noticed unauthorized development in the nature of additions and alterations to the existing structure and it is used for commercial purpose. The officer of the Corporation inquired and came to know that one Mr. Parag Jaju is the owner of unauthorized construction/development but the occupier failed to show permission or amended sanctioned plan. Then the officer took measurements and prepared Inspection Report and rough sketch. The plaintiff failed to show permission or amended sanctioned plan, therefore, Inspection Report and photographs were forwarded to designated officer of M East Ward and after going it through he came to the conclusion that the plaintiff has carried out unauthorized construction/development which is not in accordance with sanctioned plan. Hence notice came to be issued. 13] It is further stated that the plaintiff replied notice dated 25/6/2019 and the owner has admitted that he has carried out work beyond approved plan and, accordingly, filed regularization proposal on 15/2/2019. It is further stated that society has appointed M/s. Andurlekar & Associates as surveyor and M/s. Kalgutkar & Associates as -- 5 of 17 -- 6 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) architect for handling regularization process and requested three months time. It is further stated that on 14/11/2019 Executive Engineer intimated to Chairman of society that till date no regularization proposal was submitted. Then secretary of society intimated on 21/11/2019 that architect is facing health problem and requested further time. 14] It is further stated that society was only seeking time and not filed regularization proposal to comply notice. After submitting regularization proposal dated 15/2/2019 the plaintiff was asked to submit necessary documents but the plaintiff neither complied nor submitted completion plan/occupation certificate and on 15/7/2019 proposal was returned to architect for compliance. It is further stated that the plaintiff has been given sufficient opportunity and time to submit documents but the plaintiff failed to comply notice. The plaintiff has not complied notice. Hence speaking order came to be passed on 21/1/2020 which is duly served upon the plaintiff. 15] It is further stated that regularization proposal has been sent back on 15/7/2019 for compliance of completion plan/occupation certificate which is treated to be rejected and the plaintiff has not submitted documents as required by authority. Notice structure is beyond sanctioned plan as such the plaintiff is not entitled for any relief. On these grounds, the defendant No.1/Corporation prayed for dismissal of Notice of Motion. 16] Defendant No.2 resisted Notice of Motion by filing reply cum Written Statement below exhibit5. He admitted the execution of Agreements for Sale in favour of the plaintiff on 2/12/2015, however denied that physical possession was with it. It is further stated that -- 6 of 17 -- 7 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) defendant No.2 has not carried out interior work and alterations in suit premises prior to execution of Agreements for Sale dated 2/12/2015 and the plaintiff purchased suit premises after verifying the sanctioned plan. It is further stated that defendant No.2 has not represented the plaintiff that suit premises were as per the sanctioned plan and no alterations were carried out without due permission of the Corporation. Defendant No.2 denied allegations against it. Defendant No.2 denied that it informed the plaintiff about the alterations and additions and the unutilized FSI will be used for regularization of the alterations and additions. It is further stated that defendant No.2 is unaware of the change of user. It is further stated that the entire building has been constructed as per approved plan. This defendant denied allegations against it. It is further stated that defendant No.2 has unnecessarily been dragged into the litigation which defendant No.2 has no concern. Lastly, it prayed for dismissal of Notice of Motion as well as suit. 17] Points for determination alongwith findings thereon for the reasons are as under : Sr. No. P O I N T S F I N D I N G S 1) Whether plaintiff has made out prima facie case ? . . . No. 2) Whether balance of convenience lies in favour of plaintiff ? . . . No. 3) Whether plaintiff would suffer irreparable loss if temporary injunction is refused ? . . . No. 4) What order ? . . . Notice of Motion is dismissed. -- 7 of 17 -- 8 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) :: R E A S O N S :: AS TO POINTS No. 1 TO 3 : 18] Learned advocate for the plaintiff submitted that the plaintiff is a Company registered under the Companies Act. The plaintiff has purchased entire 7th and 8th floors of the building known as Universal Majestic vide registered Agreements for Sale dated 2/12/2015 from defendant No.2. Defendant No.2 had already given said premises on Leave & Licence basis to Loreal India Pvt. Ltd. In agreement for Sale between the plaintiff and defendant No.2 there is recital regarding Leave & Licence agreement between defendant No.2 and Loreal India Pvt. Ltd. As such the plaintiff has never been in actual possession of suit premises even after execution of Agreements for Sale dated 2/12/2015. The interior work and additions and alterations with respect to said premises was carried out by defendant No.2 prior to execution of Agreements for Sale in favour of the plaintiff and the plaintiff purchased suit premises in the same conditions as it existed prior to execution of Agreements for Sale dated 2/12/2012 in its favour. 19] Learned advocate for the plaintiff further submitted that after receipt of notice from the Corporation under Section 488 of the M.M.C. Act the plaintiff inquired with the officer of the Corporation and it was informed that there were some additions and alterations in suit premises. Defendant No.2 informed the plaintiff that there were some alterations and addition in suit premises, however defendant No.2 assured that there is certain balance unutilized F.S.I. and plan will be accordingly amended. Learned advocate for the plaintiff further submitted that regularization proposal was submitted on 15/2/2019 alongwith documents, however the Corporation has not sanctioned -- 8 of 17 -- 9 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) approval or not refused regularization proposal and, therefore, in view of the provisions of the M.R.T.P. Act, the proposal for regularization is deemed to be allowed i.e. prior to deemed to be approved. Learned advocate for the plaintiff further submitted that there are some internal changes for conducting business and there is no vertical or horizontal extensions, frame work which exceeds approved frame of the building and beams and columns are not touched. 20] Learned advocate for the plaintiff further submitted that regularization proposal was submitted to Building Proposal Department as such action initiated by Building & Factory Department of defendant/ Corporation is not legal and correct. Learned advocate for the plaintiff further submitted that the Corporation has not produced sanctioned plan nor it is case of the Corporation that the entire building is illegal. There are certain alterations and additions. Learned advocate for the plaintiff further submitted that the regularization proposal was submitted and it was incumbent upon defendant/Corporation to decide regularization proposal within 60 days but it does not done so and, therefore, there is deemed permission as per the provisions of the M.R.T.P. Act. Learned advocate for the plaintiff further submitted that the plaintiff has prima facie case. Building has been constructed as per sanctioned plan and regularization proposal for alterations and additions is deemed to be approved as such the plaintiff is entitled for temporary injunction. 21] Learned advocate for the plaintiff filed written submission below exhibit9 and compilation of documents reiterating contentions in the plaint and oral submissions. The plaintiff filed rejoinder affidavit and denied contentions in reply filed by defendant/Corporation. -- 9 of 17 -- 10 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) 22] Learned advocate for the plaintiff relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Live Oak Resort (P) Ltd. And Another Versus Panchgani Hill Station Municipal Council And Another [(2001) 8 Supreme Court Cases 329] in which the Hon'ble Apex Court held that the authority may sanction or refuse a proposal, there stands an obligation on the part of the authority to communicate the decision and where no orders are communicated within 60 days from the date of submission of the plan either by way of a grant or refusal thereto the authority shall be deemed to have permitted the proposed constructions. Learned advocate for the plaintiff further relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Limited And Another Versus State of Maharashtra And Others [(2019) 20 Supreme Court Cases 228] in which the Hon'ble Apex Court held that, as per DCR Rules it is provided that if within the period of 15 days, the permission is not refused it shall be deemed to have been granted provided that the work is carried out according to the sanctioned plan. 23] On the other hand, learned advocate for the Corporation submitted that the plaintiff filed suit to challenge notice issued under Section 53 (1) of the M.R.T.P. Act and as per Section 149 of the Act this Court has no jurisdiction to entertain suit. Learned advocate for the Corporation further submitted that the plaintiff admitted that there is some work beyond the sanctioned plan rather, the plaintiff has submitted regularization proposal. This clearly shows that the plaintiff has carried out unauthorized development. It is contention of the plaintiff that within 60 days defendant/Corporation has not intimated the plaintiff as to refusal of regularization proposal and as per the provisions of Section 45 (5) of the M.R.T.P. Act permission is 'deemed -- 10 of 17 -- 11 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) to be granted'. Learned advocate for the Corporation further submitted that in order to claim benefits of deeming provision the proposal must be in prescribed form and it should be complete. However, proposal submitted by the plaintiff was incomplete and, therefore, the plaintiff is not entitled for benefit of the deeming provision. In support of submission learned advocate for the Corporation relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of GTL Infrastructure Limited Versus The Dhule Municipal Corporation & Others [(2011)6 MhLJ 215] in which the Hon'ble Bombay High Court held that one can take benefit only if regularization proposal was made in the prescribed form. Learned advocate advocate for the Corporation further submitted that the plaintiff has not made out prima facie case. It is further submitted that inspite of sufficient time the plaintiff has not submitted necessary documents. Hence the plaintiff is not entitled for equitable relief of temporary injunction. 24] The defendant/Corporation relied on Inspection Report and photographs, notice under Section 53 (1) of the M.R.T.P. Act and Speaking Order, letter sent to Chairman/Secretary, letter sent to architect, copy of 2nd Inspection Report and copy of OnLine status etc. 25] Learned advocate for defendant No.2 submitted that the plaintiff is seeking interim relief restraining the defendant/Corporation from taking action based on the notice, however in suit there is no prayer of injunction. It is well settled that interim relief is always granted in the aid of final relief as such interim relief sought by the plaintiff cannot be granted. Learned advocate for defendant No.2 further submitted that the plaintiff has not challenged speaking order and the plaintiff has purchased suit structure after going through -- 11 of 17 -- 12 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) documents and sanctioned plan, therefore, the allegations against defendant No.2 that it has carried out certain alterations and additions cannot be considered. On these grounds, he prayed for dismissal of Notice of Motion. 26] In support of submission learned advocate for defendant No.2 relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Union of India And Another Versus Bilash Chand Jain And Another [(2009) 16 Supreme Court Cases 601] in which it is held by the Hon'ble Apex Court that the High Court cannot direct the Regional Transport Authority to grant bus permit as the grant of the permit is entirely within the discretion of the Regional Transport Authority. Of course, if the Regional Transport Authority rejects the application for grant of permits arbitrarily or illegally the High Court can set aside the order. He further relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of Appeal From Order (Stamp) No.11365 of 2016 M/s. Sanket Electroplast Versus Municipal Corporation of Gr. Mumbai in which the Hon'ble Bombay High Court directed the petitioner to submit regularization proposal with liberty to the Corporation to take appropriate action. 27] The plaintiff filed suit for declaration that regularization proposal dated 15/2/2019 is deemed to be approved by the Corporation and notice dated 22/6/2019 be declared as null and void. 28] The plaintiff has taken out this Notice of Motion for temporary injunction under OrderXXXIX Rule1 of the C.P.C. Plaintiff is seeking equitable relief of interim injunction. It is well settled that before granting relief of temporary injunction following requisites are to be made out by plaintiff, (i) existence of a prima facie case necessitating -- 12 of 17 -- 13 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) protection of plaintiff's right by issuing temporary injunction, (ii) balance of convenience tilting in his favour and (iii) clear possibility of irreparable loss being caused to him if temporary injunction is not granted. In addition to this, temporary injunction being an equitable relief the discretion to grant such relief would be exercised only if plaintiff's conduct is free from blame and he came to the Court with clean hand. 29] It is contention of the plaintiff that it has purchased suit structure from defendant No.2 under registered Agreements for Sale dated 2/12/2015. At the relevant time, suit structure was in possession of Loreal India Pvt. Ltd. by virtue of Leave & Licence agreement. As such, no physical or actual possession of suit structure was given to the plaintiff and the plaintiff has purchased suit structure as it was existed. Learned advocate for the plaintiff submitted that after notice under the M.R.T.P. Act alleging unauthorized development defendant No.2 informed that there are alterations and additions but some FSI is unutilized and, accordingly, regularization proposal was submitted by the plaintiff. It is important to note here that the plaintiff has replied show cause notice on 22/7/2019. The plaintiff through his letter dated 18/6/2019 informed designated officer that it has submitted regularization proposal to the Building & Factory Department for regularization of notice structure. Thus, it is clear that notice structure is unauthorized. It is only contention of the plaintiff that regularization proposal has been submitted by the plaintiff to defendant No.1/ Corporation under Section 44 of the M.R.T.P. Act. Learned advocate for the plaintiff submitted that regularization proposal was sent on 15/2/2019. He further submitted that as per the provisions of sub section (5) of Section 45 of the M.R.T.P. Act, “If the Planning Authority -- 13 of 17 -- 14 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) does not communicate its decision whether to grant or refuse permission to the applicant within sixty days from the date of receipt of his application, or within sixty days from the date of receipt of reply from the applicant in respect of any requisition made by the Planning Authority such permission shall be deemed to have been granted to the applicant”. 30] Learned advocate for the plaintiff further submitted that regularization proposal was submitted on 15/2/2019 and within a period of 60 days the Corporation has not informed about refusal of regularization proposal, therefore, in view of the provisions of subsection (5) of Section 45 of the M.R.T.P. Act regularization proposal is deemed to be approved by the Corporation. On the other hand, learned advocate for the Corporation submitted that in order to get benefits of deeming provision proposal shall be made in prescribed format and as per the requirement of DCR rules, byelaws and regulations for development. Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of GTL Infrastructure Limited Versus The Dhule Municipal Corporation & Others (supra) held that one can take benefit of deeming provision if the proposal for regularization was made in the prescribed format. The plaintiff has to show that the proposal for regularization was submitted in the prescribed format. The plaintiff has not submitted the copy of proposal of regularization. It is contention of the defendant/ Corporation that the plaintiff was directed to submit requisite documents, however the plaintiff has not submitted said documents. Hence the proposal for regularization was sent back to the architect on 15/7/2019. The plaintiff has not shown that he has submitted the requisite documents alongwith the proposal for regularization i.e. the regularization proposal was in prescribed format. Therefore, in view of -- 14 of 17 -- 15 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) the judgment of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of GTL Infrastructure Limited Versus The Dhule Municipal Corporation & Others (supra) the plaintiff is not entitled to take benefit of deeming provision. 31] The provisions of Section 44 of the M.R.T.P. Act provide that any person intended to carry out development of land shall make application in writing to the Planning Authority for permission as contemplated under Section 44 of the Act. Subsection (5) of Section 45 of the M.R.T.P. Act provides that the development proposal for which the permission was applied must be inconformity with requirement of all the relevant control regulations or byelaws. The plaintiff has not shown that the development i.e. alterations and additions carried out are inconformity with the DCR rules or byelaws. It also failed to show that the regularization proposal was in the prescribed format. Therefore, the plaintiff is not entitled for the benefit of deeming provision. 32] It is contention of the defendant/Corporation that regularization proposal was incomplete and inspite of direction the plaintiff has not submitted necessary documents for regularization. Therefore, plaintiff's application was returned to architect on 15/7/2019 for compliance of completion/occupation certificate. The plaintiff has not produced on record any material on record to show that it has submitted completion plan/occupation certificate as per the requirement. On perusal of letter dated 29/2/2020 written by architect of the plaintiff to Executive Engineer, M.C.G.M., it appears that the plaintiff was informed to submit requisite compliance within 3 days, otherwise the proposal will be recorded. The plaintiff informed -- 15 of 17 -- 16 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) concerned officer that suit has been filed in the City Civil Court and matter is subjudised. There is nothing on record to show that the plaintiff's proposal for regularization was in the prescribed format and requisite documents were submitted by the plaintiff as per the requirement. 33] The plaintiff is seeking relief of temporary injunction, however it appears that inspite of granting sufficient time and opportunity the plaintiff has not submitted necessary documents alongwith regularization proposal. The conduct of a person seeking equitable relief of injunction should be free from blame. However, in the case on hand, it appears that inspite of sufficient time the plaintiff has not submitted/provided requisite documents alongwith regularization proposal. The plaintiff has not made out prima facie case for grant of equitable relief of injunction. Balance of convenience does not tilt in its favour. 34] I have carefully gone through the judgments relied upon by the plaintiff, however facts of the cases relied by the plaintiff and the facts of the case on hand are not identical hence with due respect the observations laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the said judgments are not applicable to this case. 35] In view of my findings to points No.1 to 3 in the negative the plaintiff is not entitled for temporary injunction. In the result, I pass following order : O R D E R Notice of Motion No.3112/2019 is dismissed. Date : 14/02/2023. ( S. H. SALUNKHE ) Adhoc Judge City Civil Court, Court Room No.4, Gr. Mumbai. -- 16 of 17 -- 17 N/M 3112/19 (LCS 2182/19) “CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNED ORDER.” 16/02/2023 03:20 p.m. V. V. Kulkarni NAME OF STENOGRAPHERUPLOAD DATE TIME Name of the Judge (With Court Room No.) H. H. Judge Shri. S. H. Salunkhe, Court Room No. 4. Date of Pronouncement of ORDER 14/02/2023 ORDER Typed on 15/02 and 16/02/2023 ORDER signed by P.O. on 16/02/2023 ORDER uploaded on 16/02/2023 -- 17 of 17 --
