The Bombay HC orders stay on removal of encroachments at Vishalgad (Kolhapur)

Mumbai – The Bombay High Court on July 19 stayed the District administration’s action to remove encroachments in Vishalgad (Kolhapur). The Court asked why demolish the houses during heavy monsoon. 13 persons had filed a petition in this matter. The High Court heard the matter urgently and ordered a stay on removal of the encroachment. The Government has been directed to submit an affidavit in this matter. The hearing was held before a bench of Justice Burgess Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla.

The petitioners also submitted a video of the vandalism that took place at Vishalgad. They have alleged that some people were vandalising while shouting slogans, and the officials present there gave a free hand to the mob. The Court stayed the removal of encroachments till September and has asked the chief officer of Shahuwadi Police station to be present for the next hearing.

Over 100 encroachments removed till date

Kolhapur District administration had started removing the encroachments on Vishalgad from July 15, after the aggressive agitation by former MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje and other devout Hindu activists on July 14. There are total 158 encroachments on Vishalgad. 94 encroachments were levelled by the District administration in 3 days under the supervision of 90 revenue department officials, 150 employees and workers of public works department, archeology survey, Mahavitaran, village panchayat, forest department officials and 250 Policemen. Also 10 encroachments were removed by the citizens themselves.