Indore: Moved by a petition challenging demolition of Money Centre, a commercial building constructed on a land meant for health care facilities near Ranjit Hanuman temple, the Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday issued notices to mayor, municipal commissioner and Indore Development Authority (IDA) chief executive officer.
Aggrieved stakeholder Dr Sajni Bajaj through her counsel Sumit Sawantsar had filed contempt petition alleging that Money Centre building was demolished on October 14 despite stay by High Court. The petitioner through counsel stated that Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) on May 28, 2010, had served notice for razing down Money Centre building.
“The notice was challenged in High Court, which had stayed the demolition drive till final outcome of case,” Sawantsar said. He stated that that petition is still pending but the civic authorities in violation of the court’s order demolished Money Centre building.
In July, the IDA board had cancelled the lease of shops in Money Centre building and obtained eviction order from SDM’s court. The shopkeepers had challenged the move in High Court, which in its interim order granted relief to petitioners. In its interim order, the court ordered to give possession of shops back to the petitioners and had stayed IDA’s action.
The IDA challenged the HC’s order in Supreme Court, which in turn directed the HC to decide the petitions within four weeks. After hearing all parties, the court on October 12, 2018, had dismissed the petitions and termed the IDA’s move of taking over shops at Money Centre as right.
Two days later, IMC on October 14 had demolished Money Centre building stating that it was constructed on a land meant for health care facilities. Sawantsar stated that IMC did not care about stay on demolition notice on old petition and went ahead with demolition on order regarding giving possession to IDA.
