Matunga CHS members at loggerheads over developer

Members of Matunga's Kapole co-operative housing society have been at loggerheads over the appointment of Vallabh Developers for redeveloping their 84-yearold dilapidated buildings, with a section of them approaching the Bombay High Court (HC).

- Urvi Mahajani

Thirty-seven members have filed a petition in the HC, challenging the order of the divisional joint registrar (DJR) of the co-operative societies, quashing the appointment of Vallabh Developers.

The plea, filed in March, highlights how certain members of the managing committee, for alleged "extraneous reasons" in collusion with unsuccessful developers, got the redevelopment project stalled, thereby posing risk to their lives. The society comprises four wings with 62 residential and commercial units. However, there were 59 members as three members own two units each. Later, seven members died and no legal heirs were admitted as members. Hence, in 2022, at the relevant time there were only 52 members, the plea stated.

The buildings were constructed prior to 1940 and outlived their life and required heavy repairs. Considering the heavy recurring cost involved in maintenance of the buildings, the members decided to undertake redevelopment. Accordingly, they initiated the process in April 2022, and appointed Deodhar Associates as project management consultants. The plea pointed out that at least 27 members, which is 51% of the total members, would have to agree for redevelopment.