“Every open space in this city is extremely precious,” said the Bombay high court on Thursday while expressing concern over the fact that a children’s park in Malabar Hill had been purportedly enclosed by a housing society, which is using it as its private garden. “How can a public property be allowed to be taken away like this?” the judges asked. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Sanjay Kokate, a 45-year-old local resident, against the alleged usurpation of the public garden. He said the public property was being used for commercial purpose – a high-end gymnasium and a swimming pool. A lawyer representing the housing society — DSK Tower — said the developer had handed over the property to the society along with the garden area.

Source: Hindustan Times November 11, 2017 08:48 UTC