The persistent problem of hospital encroachments in Dhantoli and Ramdaspeth, which has remained unresolved for years, drew sharp criticism from the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday.
Expressing strong displeasure, the Court orally directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to impose a fourfold penalty per square foot, based on prevailing commercial land rates, on hospitals found guilty of encroachment. It also suggested that the funds collected through such penalties be used for public benefit.The Court further observed that hospitals failing to pay the penalty should face cancellation of their licences. These remarks were made while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Dhantoli Nagrik Mandal.
The case was heard by a Division Bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas, which expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the state government and the NMC to effectively address the issue.The Bench noted that it had taken the matter seriously from the beginning and had repeatedly issued directions to resolve the encroachment problems in Dhantoli and Ramdaspeth at the earliest. However, no improvement has been seen so far.
The Court warned that if the situation continues in the same manner, no positive change can be expected in the future.Calling for decisive action, the Court directed the state government and the NMC to present concrete remedial measures at the next hearing.
Advocates Ashutosh Dharmadhikari and Ashwin Deshpande appeared for the petitioners.
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