Mayor Snehal Ambekar inaugurated a hookah parlour last November despite it being under scanner for illegal construction. A BMC report on the issue has revealed that Ambekar inaugurated an eatery in Dockyard Road area even when the BMC had issued it notices.
According to the report, the civic body had issued a notice to the eatery under section 55 of the Maharashtra Region and Town Planning Act.
"An inspection was also done on March 31, 2015, which confirmed the illegal extensions and the structures. Action was taken on November after taking help from the Byculla police station," read BMC's report.
The BMC had prepared the report replying to a point of order raised by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporator Sandeep Deshpande at the civic standing committee.
dna had reported that Ambekar was in the dock for being the chief guest at the opening ceremony of Ustadi Charcoal Lounge at Dockyard Road in November.
Opposition leaders in the BMC had hit out at Ambekar, accusing her of promoting hookah parlours in the city. Interestingly, former mayor and Shiv Sena leader Dr Shubha Raul had led a campaign against hookah parlours when she was heading the BMC. The BMC had in 2008 initiated action against coffee bars and bistros serving hookahs, following a campaign by Raul. The Sena leader had then alleged that teenagers were getting addicted to hookahs, which contained nicotine. The HC had in 2011 upheld a BMC circular banning hookah parlours. However, the Supreme Court had lifted the ban last year.
Local resident Farooq Kazi had complained that there are several illegal additions and alterations in the eatery housed on Dockyard Road's Khadi Gram Udyog Wadi. Following the complaint, the BMC had demolished parts of the restaurant which were illegal.
"BMC's reply had proved us right. It was wrong on the mayor's part to inaugurate something that was illegal. The mayor is the first citizen and if she does such things, then it would set a wrong example. The BMC should continue its action against unauthorised construction," Deshpande said.
While Ambekar did not respond to calls and text messages on Thursday, she distanced herself from the controversy. "I was not aware of what is sold there. I don't support hookah parlours. If there is any illegal construction, I will ask the BMC to take strict action," she said.
Quzair Quereshi, owner of Ustadi, maintained that there was no illegal construction at the restaurant and neither was hookah served there. "Everything has been done as per norms and there is no illegality," Quereshi said.
