Bombay HC quashes BMC's demolition notice of Ranaut's bungalow

Mumbai:The Bombay High Court on Friday quashed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) demolition notice and the subsequent action of razing Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut's Bandra bungalow here in September, and further ordered that a compensation would be paid to her.

A division bench comprising Justice S J Kathawalla and Justice R I Chagla  said that Ranaut can take steps to regularize and make her property habitable and appointed a valuer to decide on the compensation amount the BMC would pay to her for the action.

While reserving its order on the quantum of compensation payable to the actress, the court directed that if Ranaut makes an application for getting her building plans approved, it would be decided within 4 weeks. 

The judges said that the BMC proceeded on wrongful grounds in the case that was against citizens' rights, which was malice in law and reactionary in nature.

On September 9, the BMC demolished an illegal construction at the actor's bungalow here. The 33-year-old actor then moved the High Court, challenging the notice issued by BMC for ''illegal alterations'' at her bungalow.

Ranaut had at that time engaged in a Twitter spat with the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

In the order granting relief to Ms Ranaut, the Court criticized the statements and conduct of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut. "Such conduct certainly does not befit a leader like Shri Raut who is also a parliamentarian", the HC said. The Court also disapproved Ms Ranaut's statements and cautioned her to exercise restrain in public platforms.

Hailing Bombay HC's order, Kangana Ranaut said it is a victory of Democracy. "When an individual stands against govt & wins, it's not the victory of an individual but a victory of Democracy. Thank you, everyone, who gave me courage and thanks to those who laughed at my broken dreams. Its only cause you play a villain so I can be a HERO", she tweeted.(UNI)