The Bombay High Court on Wednesday disposed of a PIL petition seeking national monument and heritage structure status to the iconic Bhabha bungalow, residence of the deceased nuclear scientist Homi Bhabha. The move came after Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) employees said they would make fresh representation to the Central government as they had found new evidence showing that ‘Mehrangir’ was 100-years-old.
“We have found a 1915 city survey map which shows the structure,” petitioner Prashant Worlikar said. The Central government had, on previous occasions, said it was willing to acquire the property and turn it into a national monument if the structure was 100-years-old.
The court has given the government six months to decide on the issue. NCPA (National Centre for the Performing Arts) and auction purchaser Godrej family have been directed not to make any alterations to the bungalow till that time.
On Wednesday, the State government filed an affidavit before the court stating that it had sent the proposal of granting heritage structure status to the bungalow to the Municipal Commissioner. “The issue is pending for the BMC Commissioner’s remarks,” government counsel said. The Municipal Corporation told the court that its committee was unable to give heritage structure status to the bungalow.
