Kangana Ranaut wins case, Bombay HC says BMC’s demolition of her house ‘malafide & premeditated’

The Bombay High Court on Friday passed its judgement in Kangana Ranaut’s case against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over the partial demolition of her office in Mumbai.

The court has quashed and set aside the notice issued to her, and subsequent demolition carried out.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation or BMC had demolished a part of Kangana Ranaut’s office in a bungalow at Mumbai’s Pali Hill on September 9. The actor alleged that the civic body’s action against her was a result of her comments against the Maharashtra government and the ruling Shiv Sena.

The high court also ordered that a valuer will be appointed to ascertain damages caused due to the demolition, and the valuer will submit a report to the court.

“MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) has proceeded on wrongful grounds, against the rights of the citizens. It is nothing but malice in law,” a division bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and RI Chagla said. The court also said it does not approve of authorities using “muscle power” against any citizen.

“The manner in which the action was carried out leaves no doubt that not using S.354 was more sinister and preventing her from taking a recourse,” the High Court said.

The court added that Ranaut may take steps to make her property habitable and to regularise the same.