The Pune Civil Court has temporarily halted the demolition of temporary structures on 25 plots in Bavdhan Budruk, restraining the Pune Municipal Corporation from demolishing or damaging the structures or taking possession of the site until further orders.
Civil Judge D. J. Patil issued the interim order in a case involving approximately 2 hectares and 94.36 are of land in Bavdhan Budruk. The next hearing is scheduled for October 23.
The plots contain temporary sheds that had been served notices by the municipal corporation on August 12. The notices sought an explanation within 15 days. The petitioners said they submitted their explanation, along with documents, on August 21, but alleged that the municipal corporation did not consider their response before issuing fresh notices on October 5 directing demolition.
Represented by advocate Shiom Pandit, the petitioners submitted an architect’s certificate claiming that the structures do not fall within the restricted area of the High Explosives Research and Development Laboratory, or HEMRL. They also told the court that applications had been filed for regularisation of the structures and that documents relating to possession and ownership of the land were on record.
The petitioners argued that demolition before a final decision could cause irreparable loss. On that basis, the court temporarily restrained the municipal corporation from acting on the demolition notices. The order is interim in nature and does not determine whether the structures are legally authorised or whether the land claims will ultimately be accepted.
The case also invokes Supreme Court directions issued in the context of demolition actions in Uttar Pradesh. According to the report, the directions require authorities to issue notice before demolition and provide affected parties an opportunity to present their case. The Supreme Court has also stated that compensation may be recovered from responsible officials if demolition is carried out in violation of the prescribed legal process.
For Pune’s rapidly urbanising western edge, the dispute brings municipal enforcement, land documentation and building regularisation into the same legal proceeding. The immediate effect of the civil court’s order is to preserve the existing position on the 25 plots while the parties contest the municipal notices and the petitioners’ claims.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has been restrained from carrying out the notified demolition until the matter is considered further. The next hearing on October 23 is expected to determine the subsequent course of the proceedings.
