The Bombay High Court today has granted relief to actress Kangana Ranaut in her plea filed against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the damages carried out on her Mumbai property. In her petition, Ranaut was seeking compensation for the loss and challenged the demolition activity by Mumbai's civic body at her office in Bandra last September. The court has now set aside the demolition order and held that the action “was actuated by malafides.’’
The BMC officials carried out a partial demolition at Ranaut's office stating “illegal” construction. The Court today has quashed the demolition notice and added that a valuer will soon be appointed to "determine the compensation payable to Ranaut for the demolition of her property."
Ranaut is also allowed to take steps to make her property habitable, as per the order Bar and Bench reported.
The actor also took to Twitter to celebrate the judgement. She wrote, "When individual stands against the government and wins, it’s not the victory of the individual but it’s the victory of the democracy." Ranaut also thanked her supporters for encouraging her. Calling herself a hero, she reflected, "It's only cause you play a villain so I can be a HERO."
What does the petition claim?
According to an earlier report by TOI, “40 percent’’ of the bungalow was demolished “including valuable movable property like chandeliers, sofa, rare artworks.’’ Ranaut had posted several videos of her damaged office on September 9.
The civic body had earlier accused Kangana of “trying to obfuscate and cover-up” her illegal construction works “by making baseless and wild allegations of malafide, etc”, Times Now reported.
Ranaut denied all the charges and said that the BMC had "made false and incorrect statements." The High Court had stopped the demolition on September 9. About the demolition, the court observed, was happening "when she is out of state, directing her to respond within 24 hours, and not granting her any further time, despite written request...".
Ranaut also sought a compensation of Rs 2 crore from Mumbai's municipal agency for "illegal" demolition of a part of her office.
However, BMC’s legal team had filed an affidavit claiming that the construction in her office, Manikarnika Films Private Limited office, was illegal and it falls under “structural violations”.
The actor had reportedly received a demolition notice from BMC on September 7 that claimed the order will be carried out on September 9. Her lawyer had sent a reply on September 8 to stop the order but it was rejected. In the petition, it was mentioned that BMC and police officers were “already present outside the bungalow well before the time of the Impugned Order of demolishing was passed."
Also Read: Babita Phogat Extends Support To Kangana Ranaut, Asks”Why Is Award Wapsi Gang Of Bollywood Silent?”
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