Savitri Cinema: SC stays conversion into commercial complex

New Delhi, Mar 27(UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed the operation of Delhi high court order allowing the Savitri Cinema owners to convert part of their land in commercial complex.

A bench comprising chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, Mr. Justice C.K.

Thakker and Mr. Justice R.V. Raveendran also issued notices to the DLF Universal Ltd. on petition filed by Greater Kailash-II Welfare Association and others alleging that it was on an encroached land.

Senior counsel Arun Jaitley alleged that about 80 per cent members of the petitioner were themselves indulging in misuse and also sought directions from the court that if the petitioners fail then they should compensate the respondent for the losses he would suffer due to closure of his shopping complex and Savitri Cinema.

Jaitley also pleaded that he has permission from all the authorities and when he applied for completiton certificate this writ petition was filed in the high court.

Chief Justice, however, made it clear that economic interests of the respondent must be subservient to public interest.

Earlier, senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi appearing for the petitioner association, pleaded that the entire commercial complex had been built on encroached land and was a traffic hazard.

Previous capacity of the hall was 1000 seats which has now been reduced to 300. Remaining area has been converted into a shopping complex.

UNI AKS/SC RP HT1725