Mumbai: Actor Kangana Ranaut approached the Bombay High Court on Wednesday challenging the notice issued by the Mumbai civic body for ‘illegal construction’ at her bungalow here, and sought a stay on the demolition process.
“We filed a petition this morning seeking urgent hearing. We have sought a stay on the demolition process by way of interim relief,” Ranaut’s advocate Rizwan Siddiqui told PTI.
He said the high court is likely to take up the plea for hearing during the course of the day.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday demolished “illegal alterations” at the Bandra bungalow of Ranaut, a civic official said.
Ranaut’s recent remark comparing Mumbai to Pakistan- occupied-Kashmir (PoK) has drawn the ire of the ruling Shiv Sena which also controls the BMC.
The 33-year-old actor, who is scheduled to reach here later in the day, has alleged that the Maharashtra government is targeting her because of her fight with the Shiv Sena.
The BMC on Tuesday pasted a stop-work notice at the actor’s bungalow at Pali Hill in suburban Bandra.
The civic body claimed that during regular inspection it found several illegal constructions and modifications have been carried out without taking necessary approvals from the civic body.
The BMC on Tuesday also filed a ‘caveat’ in a local court, saying it should be heard first if Ranaut challenges the stop-work notice issued to her.
A caveat is a request to a court that no order should be passed without hearing the person/party which files it.
‘Maharashtra govt, its goons to break down my property’
Ranaut, who arrived in Mumbai Wednesday, hit out at the Maharashtra government alleging that it was trying to “break down” her property.
“As I am all set for Mumbai Darshan on my way to the (Chandigarh) airport, Maha government and their goons are at my property all set to illegally break it down, go on! I promised to give blood for Maharashtra pride. This is nothing, take everything but my spirit will only rise higher and higher, Ranaut tweeted.
In another tweet, she posted a few pictures of some civic employees at her residence and said “Babur and his army”.
“I am never wrong and my enemies prove again and again this is why my Mumbai is POK now,” she added.
Subscribe to our channels on YouTube & Telegram
Why news media is in crisis & How you can fix it
You are reading this because you value good, intelligent and objective journalism. We thank you for your time and your trust.
You also know that the news media is facing an unprecedented crisis. It is likely that you are also hearing of the brutal layoffs and pay-cuts hitting the industry. There are many reasons why the media’s economics is broken. But a big one is that good people are not yet paying enough for good journalism.
We have a newsroom filled with talented young reporters. We also have the country’s most robust editing and fact-checking team, finest news photographers and video professionals. We are building India’s most ambitious and energetic news platform. And have just turned three.
At ThePrint, we invest in quality journalists. We pay them fairly. As you may have noticed, we do not flinch from spending whatever it takes to make sure our reporters reach where the story is.
This comes with a sizable cost. For us to continue bringing quality journalism, we need readers like you to pay for it.
If you think we deserve your support, do join us in this endeavour to strengthen fair, free, courageous and questioning journalism. Please click on the link below. Your support will define ThePrint’s future.