Yesterday, this paper ran a report about a Colaba building, which had a toilet within its premises, that was demolished by the BMC, despite there being a court order for a stay on demolition. This toilet had existed for over five decades and was tucked away within the building premises on the ground floor. The civic authorities were spurred into action after a resident, who was well aware of the toilet and has two flats adjacent to it in the building, complained that the toilet was illegal.

If the building plans could not show the toilet and it is illegal, the BMC is within its right to demolish this. Yet there has to be proper communication and the BMC officials must be aware of the stay. Why did they smash a toilet in direct contravention of the stay order? They needed to at least take heed of the order, which the residents had, when they were demolishing the structure. The BMC has to desist from misplaced and robotic zeal, even though taking action against unauthorised construction is absolutely necessary and justified.