Supreme Court Upholds Eviction Deadline for Campa Cola Residents
The Supreme Court of India has firmly upheld its May 31 deadline for the evacuation and demolition of illegal constructions within the Campa Cola compound in South Mumbai. This decision follows a report from Attorney General GE Vahanvati, stating that no viable solution could be found to save the residential buildings located in this upscale area of the city.
Six-Week Notice Period for Residents
Residents of the affected apartments have been given a six-week notice period to formally submit undertakings agreeing to vacate the illegally constructed compound. Those who fail to comply with this requirement will face consequences, including potential enforcement actions by the municipal corporation.
Hopes Dashed for Campa Cola Residents
The nearly 100 families residing in the complex had clung to the slim hope that their buildings might be spared from demolition. The Attorney General explored possible resolutions to the long-standing dispute between these residents and the corporation, but ultimately, no legal avenue could be identified to prevent the impending evictions.
Demolition Postponed, but Inevitable
Just a few weeks prior, demolition crews were on the verge of commencing their work. However, an urgent plea by the residents prompted the Supreme Court to grant a temporary extension to the deadline. While this provided a moment of respite and spurred renewed campaigns to save the buildings, the ultimate fate of the structures remained uncertain.
State Government's Sympathies and Legal Constraints
The state government, while expressing its sympathy for the plight of the affected families, unfortunately lacks the legal standing to challenge the highest court's ruling in their favor. The residents of the Campa Cola compound now face the inevitable, bound to vacate their homes after a protracted legal battle that has spanned several years.