The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Haji Ali Dargah Trust to remove encroachments in a 500-square-metre area in the shrine within four weeks, while lauding its efforts in this regard so far. If the encroachers failed to comply with the order by June 6, the joint task force set up by the Bombay High Court would begin removing them on June 10 and complete the task by June 30.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar directed that the beautification plan around the shrine will have to be placed on record before the apex court on or before June 30. It said the plan prepared by the trust can be accepted and if required, the municipal council of Mumbai can make modifications.
The council would also be at liberty to substitute it with another plan and in carrying out the above exercise, the civic body can take assistance of a well-known urban heritage architect. The Bench said the sentiments of the people of the community should be kept in mind while carrying out the plan, and posted the matter for hearing on July 3.
The Bench noted that the instant order was in continuation of the order passed by it on April 13. It took on record the affidavit of compliance filed by the trust till May 8. “We place on record our appreciation the endeavour of the trust in complying with our order and the undertaking given by it on April 13,” said the Bench.
It also appreciated the team of counsel and members of the trust, who participated in the entire exercise by providing inputs from time to time.
The Bench said the perusal of the factual position depicted in the affidavit indicates that the encroachments have not been removed so far in a small portion of 500 square metre.
