MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Thursday declined relief to some 500 employees of Air India facing eviction from their staff quarters at Kalina, Santacruz (E).
However Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Makarand Karnik, in view of Ganesh Chaturthi “which is so widely celebrated with much passion and devotion”, permitted them to retain possession of their premises till September 24.
They stated that if any employee continues to stay till then, no coercive action must be taken. After that date, action in terms of Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Tenants) Act can be taken against those who refuse to vacate.
The verdict was pronounced on three petitions by three employee unions – Aviation Industry Employees Guild, Air Corporation Employees Union and All India Service Engineers Association – challenging the eviction notices that were initially issued to some 800 employees to vacate the staff quarters by July 26. Failure to vacate, would result in penal including recovery of Rs 15 lakh each from employees who have not vacated, double market rent, withholding of retiral dues and disciplinary action.
