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Bombay HC initiates contempt proceedings against SRA CEO
The Bombay High Court has initiated contempt proceedings against the CEO of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and two other officers for repeatedly misleading the court about a special cell that was…
The Bombay High Court has initiated contempt proceedings against the CEO of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and two other officers for repeatedly misleading the court about a special cell that was supposed to hear rehabilitation complaints in Sion-Koliwada projects. Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale said on Tuesday that the court's conscience was shocked by the SRA's 'false' assurances that grievances would be redressed, which amounted to 'brazen disobedience' of court orders.
The court had disposed of petitions in December 2023, directing petitioners to approach three SRA special cells. But one cell was non-functional, and five petitioners, including senior citizens, moved the court again in March. Despite SRA assurances at four hearings between July and August that the cell would hear the complaints, no hearing took place. The judges said the orders were 'breached with impunity'. Notices have been issued to CEO Mahendra Kalyankar, assistant registrar Sandhya Bawankule and deputy collector Vandana Georaikar to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated. The court restored the petitions and ordered SRA to pay Rs 50,000 costs to the petitioners. The contempt matter will be heard on September 8.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The contempt notice under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, is an escalation that can result in a fine or even imprisonment for the officers if found guilty. The SRA, a state government body, has been under scrutiny for years over delays in providing permanent housing to slum dwellers. In Mumbai, lakhs of families live in transit camps for decades. This case highlights a pattern where official assurances to courts are not honoured. The September 8 hearing will test whether the SRA's senior management can restore credibility or face further judicial action. The key number to watch is how many of the pending rehabilitation cases across Mumbai get resolved after this ruling.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
