The Bombay High Court has issued contempt notices to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and two officials attached to its Grievance Cell for allegedly failing to comply with court directions and giving assurances that were not acted upon.
A division bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale held that the conduct amounted to “intentional or wilful disobedience” of the court’s orders. The bench also directed the SRA to pay ₹50,000 as compensation to the petitioners.
The matter arose from a petition filed by 75-year-old Kesra Gupta and other slum residents seeking permanent alternate accommodation (PAA) after surrendering their homes for a rehabilitation project more than 15 years ago.
Gupta vacated her tenement in Indira Nagar, Sion Koliwada, in March 2011 and was moved to a 125-sq-ft transit accommodation. The petition stated that the temporary facility has since deteriorated and become unsafe. Despite years of follow-ups, Gupta and other residents allegedly remain without permanent homes.
Between 2014 and 2025, the residents approached authorities several times, seeking a transparent allotment process under direct SRA supervision. Although notices were issued to the developer seeking clarifications, the petitioners alleged that corrective action was not taken.
After pursuing administrative remedies for more than a decade, Gupta approached the High Court in October last year.
During the proceedings, the court directed an SRA Special Cell or Committee to examine the residents’ grievances. The SRA subsequently assured the court in July and August 2026 that the complaints would be heard and appropriate decisions issued.
However, when the case was heard again, advocate Shakil Ahmed informed the bench that the complaints remained unresolved.
“We are aghast at such an approach on the part of the SRA,” the bench said, noting that the “senior citizens are running from pillar to post to secure a roof over their heads”.
The court described the assurances as “clearly an eyewash” and said they had “affected the administration of justice”.
Contempt notices were issued to the SRA CEO, assistant registrar Sandhya Bawankule and deputy collector Vandana Georaikar. The court also ordered compensation of ₹50,000 to the petitioners, citing a “complete derailment of justice”.
Source: Hindustan Times
