HC orders probe into society’s garden

MUMBAI: Expressing concern over a housing society’s decision to restrict the general public from accessing an open space and a garden area in south Mumbai, the Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to place on record the original sanction and layout plan for the society and the public garden.

A bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak was hearing a petition filed by a social worker, alleging that a housing society at Cuffe Parade had illegally usurped a plot sanctioned for a public garden and an open space for the exclusive use of its residents. The petitioner had also alleged that the residents of the society were not allowing the general public to have access to the park.

During a previous hearing, the bench had directed the court receiver to visit the area and report back to it. Last Friday, the court receiver had informed the bench that the housing society had indeed taken over two-thirds of the land meant for a public garden and was using it to for a private gymnasium.

—Agencies