No HC interim relief for Dhobi Ghat washer men against civic

The Bombay High Court today refused to grant interim relief to a group of washer men from the famous 'Dhobi Ghat' in Mahalaxmi area here.

They had sought that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) be restrained from demolishing structures at Dhobi Ghat that they were using as washing stones and for drying clothes.

A vacation bench comprising justices AK Menon and Bharati Dangre, however, issued a notice to the BMC and directed it to file its reply to the plea, before a regular bench of the court, by June 4.

The petitioners had claimed that they had valid licences for use of this area and that any demolition would breach their right to earn a livelihood.

The BMC, however, told the vacation bench that the petitioners had constructed some illegal structures, including steel staircases, in the area that was reserved to be used as washing stone and for drying clothes.

Such use and construction were contrary to the licence terms, the BMC contended.

The Corporation also alleged that some of the petitioners were even using such area illegally for cooking and other work.

Therefore, notices of demolition had been issued to them between April 20 and May 2 this year.

The petitioners sought that, by way of an interim order, the bench stay the above notices.

However, the bench noted that if the structures in question had been added contrary to the licence conditions, it was "not possible" for the court to grant any protection.

It noted that the Corporation was entitled to take steps in accordance with law.