Forced Evictions Initiated by BMC in Willington View Highrise, Tardeo, if Residents Fail to Leave by August 27th
Article: Mumbai's Willington View Cooperative Housing Society Faces Eviction Over Safety Concerns
A legal dispute between the residents of Willington View Cooperative Housing Society in Mumbai and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has escalated, with the residents facing the possibility of forceful eviction due to safety concerns and lack of clearance from the Mumbai Fire Brigade.
The building, which serves as the only residence for its 27 families, has only a partial Occupation Certificate (OC), and the top floors (17 to 34) do not have an OC or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Brigade. This situation has prompted the Bombay High Court to order the eviction of residents from these floors in July 2023, and the residents have since approached the Supreme Court for relief.
The Supreme Court, however, denied any relief on August 1, 2023, upholding the rule of law. Subsequently, the Bombay High Court granted a limited humanitarian extension of three weeks for residents to vacate, setting the deadline at August 27, 2023. The residents from the affected floors have submitted an undertaking to vacate by this date. If not vacated by August 27, the BMC has made clear that forceful eviction will commence.
The residents have expressed concerns about school-going children and religious practices like Paryushan followed by the Jain families. They have requested consideration for more time to find alternate accommodation and vacate their existing residences.
This legal battle over Willington View CHS is a unique example in Mumbai where residents from a high-rise in a prime locality have been asked to vacate due to safety concerns. It reflects Mumbai’s strict stance on building safety and occupation without proper certifications, with courts supporting BMC's regulatory actions.
The assessment department of the D ward has been instructed to ensure the flats are vacated as per the High Court order. The building, proposal, and Fire Brigade departments have submitted their undertakings to the legal department and ward office.
This situation underscores the importance of adhering to building safety regulations and obtaining necessary approvals before occupying a property. It serves as a reminder that the law will take its course, regardless of the circumstances.
[1] Mumbai Mirror, (2023). Mumbai’s Willington View CHS: residents face eviction over safety concerns. Retrieved from https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/cover-story/mumbais-willington-view-chs-residents-face-eviction-over-safety-concerns/articleshow/91310081.cms
[2] DNA India, (2023). BMC to evict Willington View CHS residents for safety reasons. Retrieved from https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-bmc-to-evict-willington-view-chs-residents-for-safety-reasons-2888941
As the legal battle persists over the Willington View Cooperative Housing Society in Mumbai, residents are struggling to find alternate accommodation, given the approaching eviction date due to safety concerns. This incident underscores the significance of abiding by real-estate regulations and securing necessary certifications for property investment, to safeguard one's living arrangements from potential eviction. The legal department will ensure that the flats are vacated as per the High Court order, emphasizing the enforcement of building safety rules in the city.
