Kangana-BMC row: Sona Mohapatra calls demolition 'malicious', hails Bombay HC's verdict

Singer Sona Mohapatra on Friday hailed Bombay High Court's verdict that said demolition carried out by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut's bungalow was illegal and smacked of malicious intent. Mohapatra said, "Bombay HC did right thing."

She also called demolition as 'blatant misuse of power.' A bench of Justices S J Kathawalla and R I Chagla said that demolition action was "bad in law", and observed that it was carried out on "wrongful grounds" and "against rights of citizens". Stating that it does t approve of authorities using "muscle power" against any citizen, high court also said that case was fit for awarding compensation to Ranaut for dams caused.

court was presiding over a petition filed by Ranaut, seeking that partial demolition of her Pali Hill bungalow carried out by BMC on September 9 be declared illegal.

bench, however, clarified that it did t condone any illegal construction carried out by any citizen, and neir did it approve of Ranaut's tweets that led to whole incident.

Kangana Ranaut issues strong response as Bombay HC quashes demolition order of property

"This court does t approve of illegal works or of loose statements made against government or against film industry. We are of view that petitioner, being a public-spirited person, should exercise some restraint while tweeting," court said. It, however, added that comments made against state or its machinery by a citizen in his or her individual capacity, must be igred by state.

"And if any action is taken at all, it must be within four walls of legal system. Any sort of muscle power can t be indulged in by state," bench said. It also directed Ranaut to show "restraint" in future while voicing her opinions in public.

Payal Ghosh 'cheers' Bombay HC's verdict; congratulates Kangana Ranaut

(with PTI inputs)