Veer Savarkar Udyan plot is a huge 7.5 acre plot in Borivli (w) reserved for a Public Garden. MLA Gopal Shetty who is founder and lifetime managing trustee of Poinsur Gymkhana has managed to grab this plot on adoption basis. Collected Rs.16,530/- as life-membership fees per head for this plot. Total amount collected is more than 3 Crores!!

This is not at all permitted by BMC. Memberships are allowed only for "Gymkhana" plots where facilities like swimming pool etc are provided. Not for a Garden.

During allotment no procedures are followed. During development no DC rules and BMCs circulars are followed. Only construction allowed in a garden is watchman's chowky and compound wall should be 2.5ft high and grill above so inside is visible from outside.

Here you will see that the plot is developed as a Recreational Garden and various chargeable facilities are created. Huge RCC flyover in the garden. Very little plants and trees. Huge 8ft compound wall so nothing is seen from the outside. (original wall built by BMC was as per standards but it was demolished) 1/3 rd of the plot is separated and is kept vacant for future club activities and building.

One day entry should be kept absolutely free for public (remember this is applicable for all the BMC plots even given for adoption) but this is not followed. Children below 12 yrs of age should be given free entry all the time but they are charged.

BMC's affidavit clearly mentioned that no permission is granted to charge any kind of fees except entrance fees of Rs 5.

Justice Gokhale didn't listen to our lawyer and didn't allow him to speak and dismissed the petition. He gave permission to even food court in garden!!

The first order admitted the petition and said that this PIL needs consideration at length. Order also directed respondent not to charge people above age 12 yrs. except service charged Rs 5.

What can be done when judiciary is managed?

This is not just matter of this plot but on this basis each and every Corporator and MLA will grab open plots in their respective areas and exploit commercially. So it's a good business model. Public Plots + Public Money and profit would be in politicians pockets!

We will be fighting against this order in Supreme Court.

Please read-

- Petition filed before High Court in July 2006

- Rejoinder Submitted to High Court in Oct 2006

- PIL filed on 15 Feb. 2007

- PIL filed on 21 Sept. 2006

Please read carefully the first order by Justice R M Lodha and see how bad second order is from acting C J Justice Gokhale.

From-

Meera Sadanand Kamath

Flat No. 2 Ruchi Co-operative Housing Society Limited,

Chikoo Wadi Road, Shimpoli, Borivli (West), Mumbai 400 092

Email- meera.s.kamath@gmail.com

Tel: 022-28994502

Mobile: 98693 87266