Bombay High Court Appreciates State’s Decision To Provide House To 2008 Terror Attack Victim

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Synopsis

In her petition, Rotawan explained that she had approached the housing department seeking the allotment of a house under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Scheme, as the compensation received from the state government was insufficient for her to afford a residence

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday appreciated the State Government’s decision to provide a house to Devika Rotawan, a victim of the 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks, under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category as a special case.

“We heartily appreciate such decision taken by the Hon’ble Minister to allot to the petitioner a tenement which, according to us, would grant real justice to the petitioner, considering her suffering which we have noted in detail in our earlier order as noted hereinabove. It is stated that it would take about six months for the formalities in that regard to be completed. Let the same be completed within such period and an appropriate tenement be allotted to the petitioner,” the order reads.

The division bench, consisting of Justice GS Kulkarni and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla, heard the petition filed by one Devika Rotawan, who sustained injuries from a bullet during the 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks.

Rotawan played a crucial role as an important witness during the trial of the 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks, which ultimately led to the conviction of the terrorist Ajmal Kasab.

In her petition, Rotawan explained that she had approached the housing department seeking the allotment of a house under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Scheme, as the compensation received from the state government was insufficient for her to afford a residence.

Earlier, the State Government's Housing Ministry had rejected the representation made by Rotawan, to which the high court had observed that genuine cases demand more human sensitivity.

Today, Assistant Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan placed before the high court the communication from the Ministry of Housing, which stated that the state had decided to provide a house to Rotawan as a special case under the EWS category, either through the MHADA or SRA Scheme.

Considering this development, the high court disposed of the petition and directed that the allotment and possession be given to Rotawan within 6 months.

Case title: Devika Natvarlal Rotawan vs State of Maharashtra & Ors