By In relief to actor Kangana Ranaut, the Bombay High Court Friday quashed and set aside the September 9 order issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) directing the demolition of alleged alterations carried out at Ranaut’s Bandra office.
A division bench of Justices S J Kathawalla and R I Chagla said petitioner Kangana Ranaut is allowed to take steps to make the bungalow habitable. However, the extent of demolished portion requires planning permission, which can be taken from BMC. “There is material in pleadings that smacks of malafide and was done to cause substantial losses. We would be perfectly justified to order compensation against respondents,” the bench said.
“We do not accept allegations made by petitioner (Ranaut) in view of alleged atmosphere in state or film industry. Petitioner is suggested to maintain restrain on public platforms. Irresponsible statements made by citizen are best ignored,” the bench noted.
The court said, “Whatever be her statements, no action can lie except within four corners of law. Manner in which action was carried out leaves hardly any doubt that it was against the law and was ‘sinister’. BMC has done it with disregard to rights of citizen.”
