Kangana Ranaut's return LIVE Updates: HC slams BMC's 'malafide' action, actor slams CM

Pulling up Mumbai's civic body - BMC for its partial demolition of actress Kangana Ranaut's Pali Hill office, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday, said that BMC's action were not bonafide, smacking of 'malafide'. In the order accessed by Republic TV, the HC bench comprising of Justices S J Kathawalla and R I Chagla, notes that the civic body had woken up from its slumber 'overnight' regarding 'unauthorised' works. The Bombay High Court has stayed BMC's demolition and told it to reply to the petitioner by 3:00 PM on Thursday.

It is clear beyond any doubt that the works which are ‘unauthorised’ have not come up overnight. However, all of a sudden, the Corporation appears to have overnight woken up from its slumber, issued Notice to the Petitioner, that too when she is out of the State, directing her to respond within 24 hours, and not granting her any further time, despite the written request, and proceeding to demolish the said Premises upon completion of 24 hours," notes the HC.

It added, "Though the manner in which the MCGM has proceeded to commence demolition work of the said Premises, prima facie does not appear to be bonafide and smacks of malafide, we are giving an opportunity to the MCGM to explain its stand/conduct on Affidavit by 3.00 p.m. tomorrow". Apart from these points the Court also noted that initially MCGM's lawyer did not appear for 10 minutes, did not have a copy of the petition or MCGM notice and that the Municipal Commissioner's cellphone was continuously switched-off when the Court tried to contact him.

Terming MCGM's conduct as deplorable, the Court felt that the civic body was deliberately wasting their time while trying to complete the demolition of Ranaut's office, forcing the HC to orally order the MCGM to stop its demolition work. The Court also stated that the sketch issued in the MCGM notice was extremely unclear and the ‘unauthorized’ works could be seen at all. It also stated that 'if the MCGM would act with similar swiftness qua the numerous unauthorized constructions in this City, the City would be a completely different place to live in'.

Condemning BMC, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi said, "It is full of hooliganism of Shiv Sena and BMC. A writ petition can be filed in its loss and compensation for loss can be sought. If there was an illegal construction, the rules that should be followed before breaking it. In this way a house, a shop cannot be targeted".

Protesters supporting Kangana are being detained by Police. They were protesting against the demolition of Kangana's office and raised slogans against Sanjay Raut

Now BMC seeks permission to break down Kangana's Residence at Khar, as per sources. The civic body has approached the concerned civil Court for the same, say sources.

Amid the tense faceoff between actress Kangana Ranaut and Shiv Sena-led BMC, Thackeray ally NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar, on Wednesday, questioned the BMC's sudden action on 'illegal construction' at Ranaut's Pali Hill home. The NCP chief pointed out that 'illegal constructions' issue was not a new menace plaguing the city. Questioning the timing of BMC's partial demolition, he said these actions raised doubts in people's minds. He also said that if the 'demolition' was done as per procedure, then it was appropriate. Bombay High Court has stayed the 'demolition order' for now as Ranaut returns to Mumbai.

Talking to Republic TV, Kangana Ranaut's lawyer Rizwan Siddiqui said that the damages due to the demolition was worth in crores. He added that they will ask for compensation, seek criminal action as BMC has allegedly damaged expensive paintings.

Accompanied by her Y+ security, Ranaut reaches her Pali Hill house amid massive police deployment in the area. 

Issuing her first statement since demolition of her home, Kangana said, "Uddhav Thackeray, do you think ypu have taken revenge by colluding with film mafia and demolishing my house? Today my home is broken, tomorrow your ego will break. This is the wheel of time, it never remains constant. You have done a great favour on me, as I understand what those Kashmir Pandits went through."

" I vow that I will make a movie not only on Ayodhya, but also on Kashmir. I will awaken the citizens as I knew this will happen to us. Uddhav Thackeray, its good that this cruelty happened to me as it signifies something. Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra!"

Kangana Ranaut arrived at the Chandigarh airport, from her home in Manali. The actor waved at the media ahead of her flight to Mumbai.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Kangana's lawyer Siddiquee said that their response to the notice served by the BMC was rejected by the officials of the municipal body and that they were unwilling to listen to him. 

Further, Kangana's advocate revealed that BMC continued the demolition works despite him informing the officials that the matter was sub-judice. 

"BMC and we have to work as per law. We will work as per the law codes. No one can intimidate or threaten and enter someone's property like this. I will file a criminal case against them", said Kangana's advocate speaking to the media.  

In Manali since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, Kangana Ranaut finally decided to return to Mumbai on Wednesday, September 9, after Sanjay Raut threatened her to not to return to the city. The Shiv Sena leader’s comment were sparked by the actor's relentless attack against Mumbai Police in the investigation of the Sushant Singh Rajput case, and claim that she won’t accept the force’s protection amid sensational statements over the alleged Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. Right from asking if Mumbai had become ‘Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’ and then accusing Shiv Sena of ‘promoting itself to Taliban’ to Raut using a cuss word against her, controversial statements have been galore. Her return comes amid the Shiv Sena-led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corportation pasting a ‘stop work’ notice outside her office in Mumbai’s Bandra. This is apart from a retired Mumbai Police officer sending a legal notice to her for 'defaming' the Commissoner of Police and Shiv Sena lodging a police complaint against her, seeking an FIR on ‘charges of sedition’ over the ‘PoK’ comment. Here are all the LIVE UPDATES:

Kangana Ranaut has arrived in Mumbai and is expected to come out of the airport anytime. There is presence of a crowd at the airport as workers of Union Minister Ramdas Athawale-led RPI are also present and promised to escort the actor to her residence. Even Karni Sena workers are present. A portion of Kangana's office was demolished earlier in the day, while the Bombay HC stayed further demolition.   

Kangana is likely to arrive at the Mumbai airport anytime now as her lawyer continued to present the arguments in front of the Bombay High Court via video-conferencing. The actor had left for the city from her hometown Manali on Wednesday. The HC has stayed the demolition.

The Bombay High Court has ordered a stay on the demolition carried out at Kangana's office. The lawyer in the plea stated that Kangana had sought time for a week and submitted a reply. He also highlighted that the court had prevented any demolition till September 30 due to COVID-19.  

The hearing of Kangana's plea seeking a stay on the demolition of a portion of her property has begun in the Bombay High Court.

Meanwhile, some of the officials involved in the demolition of the property were seen departing from the venue in vehicles in big numbers. They avoided a comment as Republic TV asked them questions. Even Mumbai police officials, who were seen dispersing and barricading at the venue, refused comment. 

Kangana clarified that there was no illegal construction at her property, as the BMC demolished a portion of it and added, 'government has banned any demolitions in Covid till September 30.' In a message to 'Bullywood', she wrote that that this was 'fascism.'

Kangana moved the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the demolition proceedings of her property currently underway. The court is likely to hear the plea at 12.30PM. 

Kangana stated that the property was like a 'mandir' for her, as she shared pictures of her family. She also asserted that even if demolished, it will be re-built.

Kangana likened the demolition of her property as the 'death of democracy' and likened the BMC to 'Babur Army.'

Kangana's lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee stated that no work was going on at her property, so the BMC action was 'bad in law.'

A JCB machine was brought in for the demolition process of the property as the Mumbai Police created a barricade to keep media persons away.

BMC officials broke open the lock of Kangana's Manikarnika Films office in Bandra. BMC personnel had equipments like hammer, among others, with them as they entered the property.  

The BMC threatened demolition of Kangana's office-cum-home, by pasting a fresh notice. A day before, the municipal corporation had issued a 'stop work notice' on the property in Mumbai's Bandra. 

Sharing a photo from her property, Kangana claimed the Maharashtra government had arrived to demolish it. She asserted that her spirit will only rise higher.

Still on her way to Mumbai, Kangana shared how she used to visit the Mumbadevi temple, after reaching Mumbai at the age of 16. She recalled how all her friends then have returned, but Mumbadevi kept her with her.  

In another tweet, Kangana wrote that she accepted that Maharashtra had given her success, but she also added that  she had also turned out to be a 'daughter' for the state with her devotion and love, and she was ready to give her life for respect for women, as propagated by Chhatrapati Shivaji. She also shared a photo of her home-cum-office space, that is under controversy.

Kangana offered prayers at a temple in Kothi area of Hamirpur district en route Chandigarh from Mandi District. From Chandigarh, she will be leaving for Mumbai. Sister Rangoli can also be seen in the photograph.

Kangana invoked Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, the freedom fighter she had played in the film Manikarnika, as she tweeted on her way to Mumbai. She wrote, "I am being stalled from coming to Maharashtra, but I will follow the footsteps of Rani of Jhansi, and won't crumble or be afraid."

Kangana was dressed in a light-coloured saree as she was surrounded by the security, specially provided to her by the government amid the current controversy. She has also tested negative for COVID-19 in Mandi, Dr Devender Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, Mandi District has confirmed.

As actor Kangana Ranaut leaves for Mumbai amid bitter war-of-words with Shiv Sena, Rajput Karni Sena members have said that they will escort the actor from Mumbai airport to her residence. As per reports, Jeevan Solanki of Karni Sena has said that the group will be responsible for providing security to the Manikarnika actor.