HC slaps ₹2 lakh fine on eight tenants, says they can't oppose redevelopment of building
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by eight tenants who tried to stall the redevelopment of a dangerously dilapidated building in Malad West. The court fined them ₹ 2 lakh each and reiterated that the property owner has the right to get his building redeveloped and tenants cannot oppose such a demolition. The Krishna Baug building near Malad Railway station was demolished two years ago. (Raju Shinde / HT Photo)
The eight tenants had opposed their eviction and the demolition of the 100-year-old Krishna Baug Building No.1 which had been classified by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as a C1 category building, extremely dangerous and unfit for habitation. In 2020 the BMC had issued a notice for the building's immediate demolition.
A division-bench of justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata heard two separate pleas, one by the tenants of commercial premises filed in 2023, challenging the BMC's demolition notice and questioning the C1 category, and another by building owners asking for the demolitions to be enforced, instead of being stalled by tenants.
Tenants wanted the building to be reclassified from the C1 category to the C2-B category which suggests repairs and renovations. They said that repair work had already been completed, the ground floor of the building was no longer dangerous, and there was no need for evicting them anymore.
The court called this as an 'obstructionist approach intended to hinder the landlord's efforts toward redevelopment' and made it illegal for tenants to obstruct demolitions. The court added that the rights of tenants are safeguarded by the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999 and the BMC Act.
The court said that as per section 17 (tenants rights in matters of redevelopment) of the Rent Control Act, and section 499 (regarding repair work) and 354 (removal of structures) of the BMC Act, tenants had the right to oppose the 'reconstruction' of the building, but not the 'redevelopment' of it. In real estate, reconstruction refers to rebuilding a structure without any change, and redevelopment involves demolishing the structure and building a new one with a different design and layout.
While asking the tenants to pay the fine, the court said that they had been focused only on extending their stay in the building without taking into consideration other residents of the building.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
8 years of GST: Journey of reform, resilience, renewal
Reform is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. This adage best explains the journey of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. On the midnight of July 1, 2017, India witnessed a tectonic shift in its fiscal architecture with the launch of GST. On the midnight of July 1, 2017, India witnessed a tectonic shift in its fiscal architecture with the launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Marketed as 'One Nation, One Tax', GST aimed to subsume a labyrinth of central and state levies into a unified, destination-based tax. Eight years on, the reform has matured from a disruptive overhaul to a stabilising force in India's indirect tax regime. As we reflect on this transformative period, it becomes imperative to examine the early hurdles, the mechanisms that addressed them, the current state of compliance assurance, and the road ahead. The idea of a unified goods and services tax was first mooted in 2000 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. It took 17 years of political negotiation, constitutional amendments, and consensus-building to bring it to fruition. The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act laid the legal foundation, while the GST Council, an embodiment of cooperative federalism, became the nerve centre for rate rationalisation and policy calibration. Complexity in simplicity Despite its promise of simplification, GST's rollout was riddled with challenges. The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), the digital backbone of the regime, struggled to handle the surge in return filings. Frequent downtimes and system crashes frustrated taxpayers, particularly during peak deadlines. The original return-filing structure (GSTR-1, 2, 3) proved too complex and was quickly replaced by the simplified GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) found it difficult to adapt to digital compliance, invoice matching, and input tax credit (ITC) reconciliation. The presence of five major tax slabs — 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% — led to classification disputes and undermined the goal of a simplified tax structure. States were apprehensive about revenue loss and autonomy. The compensation mechanism, funded through a cess on sin and luxury goods, was introduced to allay these concerns. Adaptive governance The GST Council, with a total 55 meetings to date, has demonstrated remarkable agility in responding to stakeholder feedback. Key reforms include: i) The introduction of the quarterly returns with monthly payment (QRMP) scheme for small taxpayers, reducing filing frequency while maintaining revenue flow; ii) E-invoicing mandates for large businesses, enhancing invoice authenticity and curbing fake ITC claims; iii) Launch of GSTR-2B, a static ITC statement, which brought predictability to credit claims; iv) Automated return scrutiny and AI-driven analytics, enabling risk-based audits and reducing human interface; and v) E-way bill system and the upcoming Invoice Management System (IMS) have streamlined logistics and compliance. These interventions reflect a shift from rule-based enforcement to data-driven compliance assurance. Maturing ecosystem As of FY 2024–25, GST collections have consistently crossed ₹ 1.6 lakh crore a month, with May 2025 touching ₹ 2.01 lakh crore — a record high. Return filing rates have improved, and the GSTN infrastructure has stabilised. The integration of GST data with income tax and customs databases has enabled better triangulation and reduced evasion. The compliance ecosystem has matured, with most businesses adapting to digital workflows. The long-awaited GST Appellate Tribunal will be finally operational soon, addressing a critical gap in dispute resolution. Reform to refinement Despite the progress, challenges persist. The multiplicity of slabs continues to create confusion. A merger of the 12% and 18% rates, as recommended by the group of ministers, remains pending. Sectors like textiles and footwear still face refund backlogs due to input-output rate mismatches. Frequent rule changes and notifications, though well-intentioned, often overwhelm taxpayers. Smaller businesses in rural areas still struggle with digital literacy and infrastructure. With the compensation cess set to expire in March 2026, the government must explore alternatives, such as merging cess into base GST rates and raising the present cap of maximum 40% or introducing targeted levies like a health or clean energy cess — to maintain fiscal neutrality. Way forward: GST 2.0 To fulfil its promise, GST must now evolve from a compliance framework to a facilitative ecosystem. Simplifying rate structure to reduce disputes and improve ease of doing business. Enhancing taxpayer services through pre-filled returns, real-time dashboards, and multilingual support. Institutionalising capacity building for tax officers and taxpayers alike, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Strengthening dispute resolution through faster appellate processes and mediation mechanisms. Leveraging technology not just for enforcement, but for predictive analytics, fraud prevention, and policy design. Eight years into its journey, GST stands as a testament to India's ability to undertake complex structural reforms through consensus and iteration. It has unified the national market, improved tax buoyancy, and fostered a culture of compliance. Yet, it remains a reform in motion — demanding continuous refinement, stakeholder engagement, and political will. As India aspires to become a $5 trillion economy, a robust, transparent, and taxpayer-friendly GST regime will be indispensable. The next chapter must focus not just on plugging gaps, but on unlocking potential. Baljit Singh Khara (HT Photo) The writer is a former Indian Revenue Service officer. Views expressed are personal.
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Nesco edges higher after board OKs capex proposal worth Rs 3,500 crore
Nesco rose 2.19% to Rs 1192.25 after the company said that its board has approved a capex of up to Rs 3,500 crore for for development of Tower 2 in IT Park at Nesco Center, Goregaon. In March this year, Nesco had announced the receipt of intimation of disapproval (IOD) from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the development of proposed Tower 2 in IT Park at Nesco Center, Goregaon (East), Mumbai. The IOD is a crucial preliminary approval from the local authorities for development/redevelopment of a property. In regulatory filing made post market hours yesterday, Nesco stated that following the receipt of the said IOD, the board at its meeting held on 30 June 2025 has reviewed and approved a capex of upto Rs 3,500 crore. These funds, being earmarked for development of Tower 2, would be utilised over a period of six years subject to receipt of timely statutory approvals. The funding for this project shall primarily be done from internal accruals. Nesco is mainly engaged in licensing premises in IT park buildings and providing related services, licensing premises for exhibitions and providing services to the organisers, manufacturing of machines and capital equipment, and hospitality and catering services. The company reported 15.70% fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 88.61 crore in Q4 FY25 as against Rs 105.12 crore posted in Q4 FY24. Revenue from operations rose 1.60% YoY to Rs 192.01 crore in the quarter ended 31 March 2025.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Einstein visa explained: What is the EB-1 and how can you qualify for it?
Pic credit: Gemini Suddenly, it's everywhere. From startup WhatsApp groups to Telegram visa forums, the term "Einstein visa" is gaining currency and curiosity. The US EB-1 visa, once the preserve of Nobel laureates and tenured scholars, is now being touted as an open door for entrepreneurs, consultants, and even influencers. But behind the buzz lies a growing undercurrent of misinformation. A wave of immigration agents, particularly in India, are advertising what they call "profile-building services" to help clients secure this elite green card . From backdated publications to media spotlights crafted for the sole purpose of embellishing resumes, the methods are as sophisticated as they are suspect. But what is the EB-1 visa really meant for? And can these so-called shortcuts withstand the scrutiny of a US immigration officer? EB-1: The elite route to residency Nicknamed the 'Einstein visa' for its high bar of qualification, the EB-1 is a first-preference employment-based green card category. It offers a direct path to permanent residency in the United States, without requiring employer sponsorship in some cases. What sets it apart is its intended audience: individuals with exceptional and verifiable international acclaim in fields such as science, education, athletics, the arts, or business. It's not enough to have achievements; they must rise to the level of global distinction . Unlike the H-1B visa, which operates on a lottery system and is limited in duration, the EB-1 is designed to attract the world's top-tier talent—and give them a home in the US without jumping through prolonged bureaucratic hoops. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Adidas Three Shorts With 60% Discount, Limited Stock Available Original Adidas Shop Now Undo EB 1 visa: Three distinct categories To qualify for the EB-1 visa, applicants must fall into one of three subcategories, each with precise expectations: Individuals of extraordinary ability This is the only EB-1 category that allows for self-petition. Applicants must either have a major international award, such as a Nobel Prize, or meet at least three out of ten regulatory criteria, including: International media recognition Membership in exclusive, merit-based associations Evidence of original contributions of significance Authorship of academic work High remuneration compared to peers Roles in judging the work of others Success in performing or visual arts Crucially, it's not about simply ticking boxes—it's about proving sustained excellence . Outstanding professors and researchers This category is reserved for academics who have demonstrated international recognition in a specific discipline and possess at least three years of experience in teaching or research. To qualify, they must have a job offer from a US institution offering a permanent or tenure-track role. In these cases, the employer must initiate the petition process by filing Form I-140. Multinational managers and executives Designed for high-level professionals transferring within global companies, this route requires that the applicant: Has worked abroad for a qualifying company for at least one year in the past three years. Will assume an executive or managerial position in a US branch of the same entity. Again, employer sponsorship is required, along with documentation proving the company's operational and financial viability. Why the sudden surge? The EB-1 visa has existed for decades, but its appeal has grown significantly as frustrations with other immigration pathways, especially the H-1B, mount. The H-1B's annual cap, randomised selection, and longer green card queues have left many skilled workers seeking faster alternatives. Enter the EB-1. Its reputation as a 'shortcut' to a green card has made it the latest bait in an increasingly aggressive immigration services market. From Instagram ads to LinkedIn testimonials, the pitch is always the same: Why wait in line when you can be fast-tracked to America's doorstep? But what's often left unsaid is this: the EB-1 is not a shortcut. It's an invitation extended only to the demonstrably exceptional, and immigration authorities are trained to spot embellishment and fraud. The pitfalls of manufactured excellence In their desperation to qualify, some applicants are being lured into murky territory. Agents now offer "visibility packages", from placing your name in obscure academic journals to arranging conference speaking roles or even ghostwriting scholarly articles. Such practices can backfire spectacularly. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased scrutiny, particularly of profiles that appear artificially curated. Officers are instructed to verify claims, cross-check citations, and assess the legitimacy of awards and publications. False claims can lead not just to rejection, but to a permanent bar on reentry under misrepresentation laws. The promise, and the price Yes, the EB-1 visa is a powerful tool. It allows high achievers to bypass employer sponsorship and fast-track their way to permanent residency. But its promise is often misrepresented. A genuine EB-1 candidate doesn't need to fake prestige, their record speaks for itself. Whether it's a tech innovator with patented inventions or a classical musician with global tours, the visa rewards impact, not imitation. For others, there are still plenty of legitimate paths to the US, albeit with patience and planning. Falling for promises of instant glory risks far more than just visa denial, it risks your future. Final thought The Einstein visa is not a myth, but it's also not magic. It remains one of the most prestigious immigration categories in the world, designed to recognise brilliance, not buy it. For those who meet its bar, the EB-1 offers an extraordinary opportunity. But for those chasing it through shortcuts, the fallout can be equally extraordinary, and irreversible. Exceptional talent is earned, not engineered. And the US immigration system knows the difference. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
