Campa Cola endgame

Mumbai municipal officials descend on the posh Campa Cola society to cut off essential supplies to the illegal flats in the building.

17 days after the Supreme Court rejected a petition by the residents against its earlier order asking them to vacate the flats, officials of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) reached the complex along with the police to cut power, water and piped gas supply to the illegal flats.

Campa Cola: Demolition starts today

The residents of the Campa Cola Society are worried about their future, as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) arrives to begin the demolition process.

One of the residents, Nandini Mehta says, "This building is not illegal and few senior citizens have already passed away, while another senior citizen was admitted yesterday to the hospital due to stress. We want to ask our CM if he has asked the solicitor general about demolition or not like he promised us he would. If we already have the support of Shiv sena, NCP, SP and our MLA and Congress, then why isn't the state doing anything?"

Worried residents of Campa Cola

The affected flat owners of the Campa Cola compound on Friday blocked Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) officials from entering the premises and demolishing the illegal floors of the Worli compound.

The officials had to return from the compound after they were blocked by the residents from entering the premises.

Civic officials, residents face off at Campa Cola society

Some 500 residents of illegal flats in Mumbai's Campa Cola society prevent civic teams, that arrived with cops to cut off water and power supply to prepare grounds for their eviction in keeping with a Supreme Court order, by slogan-shouting and closing the iron gates and placing bamboo poles to prevent them from entering.

BMC officials blocked from entering Campa Cola premises

Campa Cola residents block BMC officials

Residents shut the iron gates and put up bamboo poles to prevent officials from entering. A human chain led by women and children stood at the gate.

"Inside the gate of our campus, the women have formed the first line of defence and will prevent any MCGM official from entering the premises. We have no other place to go in the monsoon season, hence we will fight till our last breath," says Ankit Garg, a resident.

Campa Cola residents stage a protest 

BMC officials had to return from the Campa Cola compound after they were blocked by the residents from entering the premises.

A resident Vidaya Srinivasan, said, "Today is a very important day for us and everyone has said that they will support us, but I don't know where we are going to stay. We are not even allowed to stay in tents here."

Campa Cola residents fight BMC officials

A 'havan' is also being performed within the compound seeking divine intervention to save the illegal flats from demolition where occupants have been living for close to three decades.

The residents argue that they are being victimised for the fault of the builders and civic officials who colluded in violating rules to build 35 illegal floors. 

Residents of Campa Cola perform Puja

Officials of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) reach the Campa Cola complex along with the police to cut power, water and piped gas supply to the illegal flats.

"After issuing notices to the residents of Campa Cola under Section 488 of the MCGM Act, the deadline for the residents to vacate their flats has ended today. We have only come to cut off the water, electric and gas supply of the residents," an MCGM official present at the site said.

Sources in the MCGM said that they would not use force to enter the premises to disconnect essential supplies. The proceedings, they said, were being video recorded and would be used as evidence against the residents in the Supreme Court as and when the authorities move with a contempt petition.

BMC officials reach Campa Cola society

A number of RPI workers carrying party flags were present outside the gates and BJP leader Shaina N C was seen engaged in animated discussions with the municipal authorities and residents, who said they would continue their peaceful protest and oppose any move to evict them.

RPI workers present outside Campa Cola gates

Residents of the Campa Cola building stage a protest and prevent BMC officials from the entering the compound.

The Campa Cola Society lost its plea in the apex court June 3 when it challenged its earlier order of Feb 27 to vacate the building by May 31.

The residents demanded action against the builders and the officials instead of the flat buyers, who have invested their lifetime savings.