As per news reports, the Mumbai High Court has permitted Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to demolish an over 100-year-old dilapidated ‘H N Petit Widows Home’, located in South Mumbai and has directed its occupants to vacate the premises. The ground plus five floor structure is more than 100 years old. It was used for providing hostel facilities to widows. Due to the building’s poor condition, the widows residing there were moved to another hostel in 2019.

Earlier this year in April, the BMC issued a notice to the landlord to vacate the premises. A few occupants of the building and tenants who run shops on its ground floor, however, refused to do so and moved the HC arguing that the structure only needed minor repairs.

The HC, in an order passed on August 11, 2022, noted, “It is an admitted fact that the said building is situated on a plot of land in a very congested and crowded area of Bhuleshwar (in south Mumbai) and lots of people are passing through the road on which the building is located… If this building is allowed to be retained, if any untoward incident occurs then there will be a loss of lives not only of the occupants of the building but also passers-by.”

The court further held that the plot on which the building stands also abuts the proposed Metro rail alignment and falls within the influence zone of station areas, adding that if the building was demolished and not reconstructed, then tenants would have an alternate remedy in law.

The HC directed the occupants to vacate the premises within three weeks so that the building could be demolished. If the occupants do not vacate the premises, then the BMC can take forcible possession and carry out demolition, the court said.