Court directs Maharashtra to frame clear renovation rules and ensure equal action against unauthorized constructions.

Bombay HC Cracks Down on Illegal Home Modifications.

The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to prepare comprehensive guidelines defining permissible alterations in flats and residential buildings, while warning against the growing trend of illegal home modifications. The court observed that unauthorised enclosures of terraces, structural changes, and room extensions have become common, often due to unclear regulations and weak enforcement. Stressing that the law must apply equally to everyone, the bench ruled that illegal constructions cannot be allowed simply because similar violations exist elsewhere. It ordered the Panvel Municipal Corporation to demolish unauthorised structures in a Kalamboli housing society and take action against all similar violations in the building. The court also emphasised the need for a transparent and affordable approval process that distinguishes between minor, non-structural changes and modifications affecting a building's safety and stability. Until new guidelines are introduced, all unauthorised alterations must be dealt with strictly under existing municipal laws.