Mumbai News

Mumbai: BMC sends notice to Ranas over changes in Khar flat – Times of India

MUMBAI: Barely 24 hours after inspecting the Khar flat of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana, the BMC on Tuesday served them a show-cause notice for having carried out unauthorised construction work.
The notice, served by the designated civic officer of H West ward, said the Ranas have changed the approved use of the premises, and therefore, under Section 351 of the BMC Act, 1888, they should submit in writing why the work should not be pulled down and (approved) use of premises restored.
The BMC has asked the couple to submit their reply within seven days of receipt of the notice. Further, the BMC notice has stated that if they failed to show sufficient cause, the use of premises will be restored at their risk and cost and they will also be prosecuted under Section 475A of the BMC Act, which is punishable with imprisonment and fine. Section 475A deals with failure to comply with a BMC notice served under Section 351 of the Act.
Pointing to the allegedly unauthorised changes, the BMC has stated these are beyond those which were approved by the executive engineer of the building proposal department in March 2007.
The changes allegedly include a void beside the lift area having been merged with the flat and converted into a toilet, the pooja room having been merged with the kitchen; and while being converted into a living room, the lobby area has been merged into a habitable area. Besides, the notice has said, a sloping roof has been flattened and “merged with adjoining bedroom,” a living room has been “sub-divided into kitchen and bedroom,” a balcony has been enclosed with the adjoining bedroom and kitchen, and two bedrooms on the west side have been merged.
Navneet Rana had said on Monday that they had not made any illegal alterations and that they were being politically targeted by Shiv Sena which is ruling the BMC. They said Union minister Narayan Rane’s Juhu home has been similarly targeted.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mumbai-bmc-sends-notice-to-ranas-over-changes-in-khar-flat/articleshow/91479711.cms