Mumbai illegal hoarding collapse: MSHRC cracks down on home dept for not appearing at hearing
The MSHRC had issued summons to the home department, police, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to appear before them on June 6 after a complaint filed by advocate Amit Dubey.
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The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) came down heavily on the state home department for not responding to its summons in the illegal hoarding collapse case in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar.
A bench comprising chairperson Justice K K Tated and member MA Sayeed asked the additional chief secretary (home) for an explanation for why action should not be taken against them.
The MSHRC had issued summons to the home department, police, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to appear before them on June 6 after a complaint filed by advocate Amit Dubey.
The home department was the only body with no representation or report during the hearing which caused the bench to respond sternly.
“It is rather shocking to note that despite issuance of notice/summons to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, none appeared on its behalf nor report is submitted. Such apathy is strongly deprecated as it amounts to disobedience of our orders / directions,” the MSHRC’s order stated.
“Therefore, Spl. Inspector General of Police Investigation Wing of this Commission is directed to call explanation from the respondents why action should not be taken against them under Section 166A of the Indian Penal Code to seek explanation from Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department as to why action should not be taken against him for non-compliance of the order dated 16.05.2024,” the order further mentioned.
The order also stated that the report submitted by the GRP mentions that permission was granted for the petrol pump. However, later in the report, it mentions that permission was not given.
The court order stated, “Pertinent to note that on going through the contents of the report.. it is revealed that the particular parcel of land, bearing No. 194A/6 is owned by Home Department Police Headquarters while property bearing No. 194A/7 is owned by Police Housing Welfare Corporation and necessary permission for petrol pump etc. came to be accorded by Director General of Police vide order dated 30.01.2020.”
“At the same time…it is stated that permission for placing the hoarding, moved by the concerned Qicom Brand Solution Ltd, was moved to Commissioner of Police Railways, and which in fact came to be rejected and the same came to be allotted one Ego Media Pvt. Ltd by the then Commissioner of Police (Railways),” it added.
The order revealed that a bare reading of the report creates more confusion than clarity over who is to be held responsible for granting permission for installing the hoarding in question.
Dy. Commissioner of Police Mr. Patil will be submitting a detailed affidavit with copies of authentic documents at the next hearing.
