By Team Clarion
NAGPUR – The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has pulled up the Nagpur Municipal Corporation over the demolition of a three-storey house belonging to 38-year-old Fahim Khan, who was arrested last year in connection with communal violence in the city.
The court on Thursday asked the civic body whether it intends to rebuild the house or compensate Khan for its value. The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Vakode.
The violence had broken out in Nagpur’s Mahal area after provocative remarks related to the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). Fahim Khan was arrested as the main accused in the case.
Within days of his arrest, officials of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation demolished his three-storey house located in Sanjaybag Colony. The action was described as a drive against alleged unauthorised structures.
Family members had earlier said that the demolition left them without shelter.
A relative of Khan told the court through counsel, “The house was brought down in haste. No proper opportunity was given to respond.”
During the hearing, the high court observed that the civic body had failed to follow directions laid down by the Supreme Court regarding the demolition of alleged illegal structures.
As per Supreme Court guidelines, authorities must issue a notice and provide at least 15 days for a reply before removing any structure claimed to be unauthorised.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
