BMC rejects Rana couple's reply dismissing Khar flat irregularities

MUMBAI: The BMC on Friday passed a speaking order over Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana's Khar flat with regards to a notice that was served on May 10. The civic notice had stated that they (Ranas) have changed the approved use of the premises and therefore under section 351 of the BMC act 1888, they should submit in writing on why the said work should not be pulled down and the use of premises restored.
This is the same flat from where the couple had been arrested on April 23 last month by the Mumbai police over the Hanuman Chalisa row.
The speaking order of the BMC states that in response to the civic notice, the Ranas have submitted their reply on May 19 along with documents like agreement of sale, assessment bill, electricity bill. However the civic body has said that the documents do not prove the authenticity of the changes pointed out in the notice, hence the same is treated as unauthorized.
The BMC has also said that the Ranas have failed to submit documents like permissions, approved plans from competent authorities which proves that the notice given to the structure is an authorized one. "Hence the structure under reference is treated as unauthorized one and liable for demolition. You are therefore directed to remove the structure mentioned in the above reference notice within seven days from the receipt of the letter, failing which the same will be removed by the corporation at your risk and cost without any further intimation in the said matter," stated the notice.
Further, the BMC has also said that under section 475 A of MMC act you shall be punished with an imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one month but which may extent to one year and with a fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees but may extent up to twenty five thousand rupees and in case of continuing offence with further daily fine which may extent to five hundred rupees.
A civic official privy to the development said that the Rana couple could challenge the BMC order in the court or put up a proposal for regularization to avoid any action. "In case of that we would not be able to proceed in action against the unauthorized changes made," said the official.
It was first on May 2, this month that the BMC issued an inspection notice to the Ranas for their flat in Khar west. The notice was under section 488 of BMC act 1888 which empowers civic officials to visit any building and ascertain whether any illegal alterations have been undertaken.