HC restrains Maharashtra govt from evicting Aarey Colony tribals

MUMBAI: Bombay High Court on Friday restrained the State government from evicting tribals living in 27 adivasi padas/ hamlets inside the Aarey Milk Colony at Goregaon (east).
A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Prakash Naik heard a public interest litigation by NGO Manav Vikas Prakalp which works among tribals who received notices in February of a survey to assess their eligibility for a slum rehabilitation scheme.
Senior advocate Gayatri Singh, appearing for the petitioners, said though the notice is only for the purpose of carrying out survey but the apprehension is that SRA will be implemented resulting in displacing tribals. The bench said in view of the interim orders of the High Court and National Green Tribunal, SRS cannot be implemented in Aarey Colony area. It clarified that though the survey may proceed, the occupants of 27 padas will not be evicted without seeking the court’s permission.
The bench has also directed a copy of 2003 survey of the Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune, to be placed at the next hearing which had identified total 72 padas in Mumbai out of which 27 were from Aarey and 2 from IIT. ``If necessary we can direct the same institute to carry out a survey again,’’ said Justice Oka. Admitting the petition for final hearing, the judges posted the next hearing on April 27 to pass directions on interim relief.