The Bombay High Court on Wednesday heard a petition filed by advocate Ashok Saraogi challenging a notice issued by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) that asked tenants to vacate the five-storey Esplanade Mansion, formerly known as Watson's Hotel, feted as one of India's oldest Victorian-era cast-iron structures immediately, as it has been declared unfit for habitation.

Advocate Saraogi alleged that though the building is repairable, the landlord is not interested in getting it repaired. To which the MHADA also supported the advocate by saying that the landlord had not carried out necessary repairs. Its counsel PG Lad said that the MHADA wanted the occupants to vacate the building and they had also given undertakings before the HC saying that they continue the occupation of the Esplanade Mansion at their own risk. The landlord, however, claimed he was willing to undertake repairs, but could not do so for want of the civic body’s permit.

“The building is in a dilapidated condition and it is going to be a major disaster,” said the division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai referring to the only cast iron structure that now exists in Mumbai.