BMC demolishes entrance of popular Santacruz pub
Image: Richa Pinto
On Tuesday, the BMC razed the entrance of Three Wise Men, a popular pub in Santacruz, over illegal extension and construction on the adjacent footpath.
According to a nearby shopkeeper, over 50 BMC officials and workers reached the pub between 10 and 11 am on Tuesday morning and started the demolition. The staff wasn’t notified about the activity and was shocked to see the JCB taking down the external wall.
When a staffer came out to inform them that there were people inside the pub, officials took a break until the premises was evacuated and continued the demolition.
According to the landlord of the premises, Sumeet Kadam, the civic body’s action was illegal since the matter was sub judice and the court had stayed the demolition until the matter was resolved. Moreover, BMC officials never issued a warning or notice of any kind to the pub’s management prior to demolishing parts of it.
The landlord is now planning to take the civic body to court over their illegal demolition.
When contacted, a BMC official said that the demolition was carried as per regulations. He also clarified that since the restaurant had encroached upon the footpath, BMC could demolish the extension anytime without giving any prior notice. Moreover, the restaurant wasn’t the only one targeted, action was taken against many other establishments for flouting norms during yesterday’s demolition drive across Khar and Santacruz.
The pub’s management got the debris removed from the entrance later during the day and is planning on re-building the place. However, owing to the unwarranted damage to their business, even the pub’s management is contemplating on filing a complaint and seeking legal recourse.
