The Bombay High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 2 lakh on the Mumbai civic body for its “high-handed and arbitrary” action in demolishing a structure run by a charitable firm to provide food and shelter to cancer patients getting treated at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH). Justice Gauri Godse, in an order of April 4 made available on Wednesday, noted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) carried out the demolition “in unholy haste” without following due process and without any intimation to the occupier of the structure.

The bench, while pulling up corporation officers for showing a complete lack of sensitivity while proceeding with the demolition, imposed a cost of R2 lakh on the BMC to be paid to the plaintiff within four weeks. It was hearing a plea filed by the charitable firm against the BMC action. The structure, situated on a plot adjacent to TMH, a premier institution in the Parel area engaged in education, research and comprehensive care of cancer patients, was dismantled on January 4.