Bombay HC allows impleadment of Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut in Kangana Ranaut plea against BMC demolition

The Bombay High Court today allowed the impleadment of Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut in the writ petition filed by Kangana Ranaut against the move of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM/BMC) to demolish her property..The Bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and RI Chagla also allowed the impleadment of the BMC officer who ordered the demolition in the matter and posted the case for tomorrow morning. .Earlier this week, Kangana Ranaut had filed a rejoinder in the case. .Had MCGM given me a fair opportunity, I would have been able to respond to their allegations: Kangana Ranaut files rejoinder in Bombay HC.In today's hearing, Senior Advocate Aspi Chinoy, who appears for the BMC, requested leave from the Court to file a reply to the rejoinder so that the authority can place on record its objection to the ‘new denials’ brought on record by Ranaut. .Appearing for Ranaut, Advocate Rizwan Siddiqui objected to the BMC's submissions, arguing,"Every day, the Corporation is trying to deviate its case." .The Court proceeded to grant time to BMC to file its reply by Thursday. The Court added that a copy should be served on all parties involved, remarking “whatever is given to them, must be given to all other sides”..The Court also asked Senior Advocate Birendra Saraf, appearing for Ranaut, to take a call whether the Bollywood actress wants to implead Sanjay Raut, the Chief Spokesperson of Shiv Sena in the case. .It was observed that if Ranaut wants to rely upon any evidence concerning Raut to show malafide intentions in carrying out the demolition, then he ought to be given an opportunity to defend himself..Manner in which demolition was started prima facie smacks of malafide: Bombay HC while granting Kangana Ranaut relief in plea against BMC.In the meantime, the Court has directed Chinoy to keep the concerned Executive Engineers of MCB present for the next hearing. He was also directed to give more clarity on a circular attached in the reply of the BMC in the case..As today's hearing drew to an end, Saraf submitted that Sanjay Raut may be impleaded in the matter along with NC Bhagyawant Laate, the designated officer (SH Ward) from BMC who passed the demolition orders challenged in Ranaut's plea. The Court recorded this submission and permitted the petitioner to implead both parties. In the meanwhile, the interim relief of stay granted on the demolition of Ranaut's property on September 9 will continue..The matter is listed for tomorrow at 11:30 am in view of the impleadment of Raut and the BMC's designated officer. .Chinoy submitted that the BMC's reply would only be filed on Thursday, and suggested that the matter be posted for Friday.