Siddhivinayak wall's fate to be decided by MCGM general body

Mumbai, Feb 22 (UNI) Maharashtra Advocate General Ravi Kadam today told the Bombay High Court that the general body of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) will decide whether the security wall around the famous Siddhivinayak Temple should stay or not.

However, the decision can be taken only by the general body of the corporation after a public notice is given and after seeking the people's objections.

Mr Kadam conceded that when the wall was allowed, this procedure was not followed. However, the Corporation has given a public notice and has received some 7,000 objections to proposal to retain the wall.

A report shall be made after considering these objections and resolution to retain the wall be placed before new general body, which is expected to be formed by March end.

The court shall be informed of general body's decision by April 11.

Last October, the High Court had ordered the demolition of the wall, holding its construction to be illegal, in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the residents in the nearby area.

The grievance of the petitioners was that the wall, built by the Temple Trust on the advice of police, blocked off the access to two major roads Kakasaheb Gadgil and S K Bole.

City police had challenged the High Court's earlier order in the Supreme Court. The apex court stayed the demolition of wall, asking the High Court to decide the case speedily.

UNI