The Bombay High Court on Friday disposed off a petition that alleged that Shah Rukh Khan's sea-facing bungalow, Mannat had violated heritage and Costal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. Calling the petition 'frivolous' the HC went on to impose a Rs20,000 fine on the petitioner.
Activist Simpreet Singh had filed a PIL alleging that the actor had violated CRZ norms while constructing a new building as part of the extension of his bungalow – a heritage structure. A division bench of Justice P B Majmudar and A Sayed dismissed the PIL saying the petitioner had targeted the film star only for publicity.
"There are so many buildings in the same line as Shah Rukh's building. Why have you taken an objection against only this building?" the bench asked. On earlier occasion the state government informed the HC that the reservation was cancelled in 2000. Khan had purchased the land in 2003 and began construction in 2006.
Arguing for Simpreet, advocate YP Singh said that the place where the building stands was reserved for an art gallery. Simpreet alleged 32 violations of law stating that construction at Mannat has been done by merging 12 flats having 12 kitchens meant for poor people. Singh and Simpreet say that they will challenge the HC order in the Supreme Court. "It is shocking that the court has imposed cost on a petitioner who has recently won the national RTI activist award for his monumental work in exposing the Adarsh and Lavassa scams. This is very demoralising for activists, who are being attacked physically," said Singh.
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