Navi Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has recently supported a request from four cooperative housing societies in Ulwe, Panvel, against the building of a nearby ‘illegal’ crematorium. The court observed that individuals do not possess a basic right to a designated cremation or burial location.
The petitioning societies contended that the crematorium's closeness to schools and parks negatively affects children's mental health and adds to air pollution that harms residents' well-being.
According to the report by Indian Express, on March 28, a panel consisting of Justices Ajey S Gadkari and Kamal R Khata examined the case concerning Lakhani’s Blue Waves CHS and Ami’s Planet Mercury CHS, situated close to the area, as well as Delta Tower and Hari Darshan, which are similarly affected.
Advocate Ashok T Gade, who is representing the petitioners, mentioned that the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) had allocated the site for a petrol station, but powerful people had shifted the development to a crematorium instead.
Regardless of measures implemented by the Chief Controller of Unauthorized Constructions (CCUC), local residents demonstrated against the destruction of the crematorium. Gade pointed out that another crematorium can be found 15-20 minutes from the area, which could meet the villagers' needs efficiently.
The court stated that CIDCO had the power to decide on the crematorium's site and found no adequate reasons to challenge its choice. The court ultimately supported the petitioners, acknowledging the effects on local schools and communities, while asserting that it cannot place the villagers' demands above public welfare requirements.
