Bombay High Court rules in Kangana’s favour

The Bombay High Court has ruled that actor Kangana Ranaut‘s office in a bungalow in Mumbai was demolished wrongfully by the Mumbai municipal authorities. The court said this while hearing the actor’s petition against the demolition in September. She will also be compensated for the damages which is a big win.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had demolished a part of Kangana’s office in a bungalow at Mumbai’s Pali Hill on 9 September. The actor alleged that the civic body’s action against her was a result of her comments against the Maharashtra government and the ruling Shiv Sena party.

The “same party” is also the ruling party in the BMC, the “Queen” actor said in her petition, without naming Shiv Sena, which runs the Mumbai civic body, India’s richest municipal corporation.

“MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) has proceeded on wrongful grounds, against the rights of the citizens. It is nothing but malice in law,” said the division bench. “The manner in which the action was carried out leaves no doubt that not using S.354 was more sinister and preventing her from taking a recourse,” added the court.

The court, however, noted that the Kangana should show restraint while airing her views about the government. Mumbai civic authorities say the bungalow contains illegal constructions.