Campa Cola compound: Supreme Court sets May 31 deadline for residents to vacate

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the unauthorised flats owners at the Campa Cola Society in Mumbai to vacate the premises by May 31, 2014, as no specific proposal could be worked out to provide them space in the compound for new construction.

The apex court passed the order as Attorney-General G.E. Vahanvati said, “After considering all aspects we are not in a position to work out any specific proposal.”

A bench headed by Justice G.S. Singhvi said it had taken the humanitarian ground into consideration to extend the date of demolition from November 11, 2013 to May 31, 2014 as the Attorney-General had sought time to come out with a specific proposal for permanent solution.

“Having considered the matter in entirety, we deem it fit to extend the period till May 31 by which the occupants must vacate. This is subject to the undertaking to be given by occupants within six weeks,” the bench said.

It said “if no undertaking is given, the municipal corporation will be entitled to take action in accordance with the order of February 27”.

Seven high-rise buildings of Campa Cola Housing Society were constructed between 1981 and 1989. The builders had permission for only six floors. One of the compound buildings, Midtown, has 20 floors and another building, Orchid, has got 17 floors.