Bombay HC denies plea, allows Air India colony building demolition

09 Feb 2024 CW Team

The Air India Staff Colony Association's application claiming that Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) had unlawfully initiated the demolition of 19 vacant buildings in the Air India colony at Kalina, a western suburb in Mumbai, was rejected by the Bombay High Court.

Justice RN Laddha noted MIAL's statement that only the 19 unoccupied buildings would be demolished, and precautions would be taken for the occupied ones. MIAL, managed by Adani Airport Holding (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, assured that the demolition would prioritise human safety, involve experts, and follow due process of law. Justice Laddha emphasised in his 17-page order that essential services like water and electricity would continue, and no occupied buildings, including schools, would be demolished without lawful procedures.

The Air India Staff Colony Association contested a January 25 order by the city civil court at Dindoshi in Mumbai, permitting MIAL to demolish the vacant buildings. The high court found no flaws in the civil court's order denying interim relief to the association.

Furthermore, the high court declined the association's plea to maintain the status quo for two weeks while it appeals in the Supreme Court.

MIAL began the demolition of 19 vacant buildings as part of its expansion plan for the Air India Colony, which comprises a total of 108 structures spread over 184 acres. Air India employees challenged this move.

Before the court's decision, Senior Counsel Vikram Nankani, representing MIAL, argued that the land belonged to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and was transferred to AIAHL under the Centre's divestment policy. AIAHL subsequently handed over the structure to MIAL, asserting that the staffers had no rights over the buildings.

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