Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, May 9: The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government's Urban Development Department (UDD) to respond regarding the grant of heritage status to the residence of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar, known as Savarkar Sadan, located in Central Mumbai's Shivaji Park area.

The order came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Abhinav Bharat Congress trust, which has sought heritage status for the building and called for it to be declared a “monument of national importance.” The PIL also sought a special compensation policy for its inhabitants.

The court issued notices to the UDD and other relevant authorities, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Union Ministry of Culture, and set the next hearing for June 13. Until then, the court ordered that the status of the property should not be altered.

The petition, filed by professor Pankaj Phadnis, co-founder of Abhinav Bharat Congress, alleges that despite recommendations made by the BMC in 2010 and again in 2012, the UDD has failed to grant heritage status to the property. The petition further claimed that the state government’s inaction over the past decade has left the property vulnerable to demolition or redevelopment.

Phadnis expressed concern that, like the Jinnah House, Savarkar Sadan, which holds significant historical importance, has yet to be included in the heritage list. He also cited a news report from earlier this month, raising fears of imminent demolition before the property is officially recognized.

The bench, comprising Justices Atul S Chandurkar and Neela K Gokhale, directed that instructions be sought from the UDD regarding the timeline for granting heritage status and directed that the status quo of the property be maintained until the next hearing.