MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Tuesday said it proposes to direct the state government to conduct an inquiry into the conduct of officers dealing with illegal constructions, including those belonging to fugitive businessman
Nirav Modi, on beaches along Alibaug.
A bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Riyaz Chagla said it will direct the principal secretary of the revenue department or a senior official appointed by him to hold the inquiry. The court was hearing a petition by NGO Shambhuraje Yuvakranti against inaction by the state against bungalows of celebrities and businessmen from Mumbai in coastal regulation zone areas of villages in Alibaug taluka. The petition demanded that unauthorized structures between the high and low tide lines be removed.
On July 31, the court referred to Modi's case "by way of illustration". Modi was permitted 376sqm in Kihim, but he constructed 1,071sqm. Modi had challenged an HC show-cause notice of October 2009 for demolition.
The HC (Justice Oka) on February 4, 2010 had directed the sub-divisional officer (SDO), Alibaug, to hear him and pass the final order within 12 weeks. Only on June 2, 2018 the SDO passed an order saying that the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority is the proper authority to decide whether there was CRZ violation and disposed of the matter. At a previous hearing, the high court had sought the collector's explanation.
Raigad collector Vijay Suryawanshi's reply was submitted by the government's advocate Reena Salunkhe.
It stated that a Coastal Zone Management Plan for
Raigad district was not yet approved and no CRZ areas were demarcated. He informed that 12 of 159 structures were demolished and action will be taken against the remaining within six months.
Bombay high court
