The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Divisional Commissioner of Konkan to conduct an inquiry into the construction of 145 illegal bungalows, including one owned by fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, at Alibaug.
A Division Bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Riyaz Chagla said, “it was shocking” how so many bungalows could be built without permission, blaming authorities of “non-application of mind”. It directed the Divisional Commissioner to submit a report to the revenue and forest secretaries in eight weeks. The Bench also directed the government to file an affidavit on the steps it has taken on the basis of the inquiry.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2009 by Sambhuraje Yuvakranti of Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Seva Sangh. The PIL alleged failure of the State and Central government to take action against bungalows and illegal houses constructed in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) areas. Under the Right to Information Act, it was known that 145 constructions in Alibaug violate the CRZ notification.