Navi Mumbai: The SC orders the evacuation of 165 families in order to demolish illegal structures.

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the demolition of two illegal buildings built over a decade ago in Nerul’s Sector 16A on plots reserved for a public garden. The ареx court has ordered the 165 families living in these “towers of corruption,” as activists refer to Krishna Complex and Trimurti Park, to give a written undertaking that they will leave within six months.

On November 23, the Supreme Court refused to stay a Bombay High Court order to demolish the structures. According to the ареx court, if the residents do not vacate the buildings within six months, the NMMC can take appropriate steps for forced eviction with the assistance of the police.

“When these two properties were being built on a reserved garden area in Nerul, Cidco issued mentions to the builders and copied the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) that these construction projects were illegal,” RTI activist Rajiv Mishra clarified. “These corruption towers arose as a result of corrupt political influence.”

Cidco had given the NMMC plot numbers 148 and 149, where the buildings stand because they were designated for a garden. By 2011, both illegal structures had been constructed, and the flats were ready for sale. Nilesh Patel, Nilesh Bhagat, and Ganesh Bhagat were the builders.

After being charged, the builders petitioned the Bombay High Court for a stay of demolition by the NMMC. After the high court denied relief, some affected flat buyers individually petitioned the Supreme Court to protect their interests, but the ареx court denied them as well.

Mishra stated that under Section 56 of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, 1966, civic and police officials who overlooked illegalities during construction must be charged and FIRs filed against them.

Municipal commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said he would read the Supreme Court order carefully and take appropriate action. Sharmila Jain of Krishna Complex, one of the affected flat buyers, stated that her family purchased the property in 2012.

Residents in the area said they were always aware that the two structures were illegal. According to RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan, there are more illegal structures being built in the area.