Flat-owners resist PMC demolition drive despite SC order

The Patna Municipal Corporation's (PMC) bid to demolish top three illegal floors of a residential complex, on the Supreme Court's order, was today faced with resistance from the flat-owners, putting the administration in a tight spot with the apex court deadline nearing on July 10.
PMC with the support of district administration and its machinery, earlier in the day, had gone to demolish the top three floors--7th, 8th and 9th floor--of the Santosha complex as per the order of the Supreme Court.
Earlier in the day, residents of the residential complex protested before the PMC officials, who had gone prepared with JCB and cranes and police force, to raze down the top floors.

The residents locked the main gate and denied them the entry with women forming the front line followed by the men of the apartment.
When the PMC officials tried to bring down the boundary wall of the apartment with the help of JCB machine, the residents scaled on the wall and started reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa'.
"We could not get the entry of the apartment as the flat owners had locked the main gate. We could not succeed in our efforts to convince them. Later, we tried to use force by deploying female constables to counter them but that too went in vain," PMC New Capital Circle Executive Officer Vihal Anand said.

The apex court had on March 10 directed the PMC to demolish the unauthorised structures within a period of four months which was coming to an end on July 10.

"We tried all through the day but we were not able to do anything because of the protest. This happened despite repeated notices given to them...We are sending a report giving detail to PMC Commissioner," Anand said.
When asked about the future course of action of PMC, its Commissioner Abhishek Singh told PTI "Flat owners have filed an I.A. (inter alia) in the Supreme Court with regard to payment of compensation to them. The PMC will also submit the entire proceedings and videography in the form of a report to the Supreme Court and would seek a direction from the apex court in this regard."

PMC is also mulling to initiate action against the flat owners for obstructing officials from carrying out government duty, Singh said.