Journalism of Courage
The Bombay High Court has issued notices to the Maharashtra Government,Centre and two private companies on a PIL alleging he misused his discretionary powers in giving some sanctions in the redevelopment of the landmark Sea Rock hotel here.
The notices were issued yesterday,a day after he and 12 others were chargesheeted in the Adarsh Housing scam in which he was accused of doling out some favours to the upscale Housing society in Colaba as a quid pro quo for getting two flats alloted to his kin.
The PIL alleged violation of Development Control Rules and environmental norms in the proposed redevelopment of the hotel at Bandra reclamation.
The notices issued by Justices S A Bobade and Mridula Bhatkar are returnable after four weeks.
The PIL filed by lawyer Sonia Sood said the plot belonged to the state government which it gave on leave and licence basis in 1961 to M/s Luthria and Lalchandani (L&L) for 99 years. L&L sub-leased the plot to M/s Elel Hotels and Investments Pvt Ltd (EHIPL) which is rebuilding the hotel now.
The PIL alleged that Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had sanctioned Floor Space Index of 5.5 for the hotel while Ministry of Environment and Forests had granted Coastal Regulatory Zone approval for only 2.5 FSI.
