RTI query reveals BMC paid Rs 105 crore to lawyers in past 13 years

DNA: Mumbai: Saturday, March 07, 2015.

To fight cases against issues pertaining illegal constructions and other litigations in the court, the countries richest municipal corporation -  Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has paid whopping amount of Rs 105 crore in the last 13 years. The information was revealed to an RTI query filed by activist Anil Galgali.

Seeking information about the expenses incurred on lawyers fees and the record of cases represented by them, Galgali had file an RTI query on January 9, 2015. Replying to the query, the BMC administration Law Department's Deputy law officer (Small Causes Court) said, "In the last 13 years (2001 to 2014), the BMC has paid Rs 105 crore 6 lakhs 84,690 to 151 lawyers to represent them in the court."

Out of 105 crore, the whooping 49.37% amount, i.e., Rs 51 crore 88 lakhs and 14,900 were paid to only 10 lawyers.

In a reply, the BMC further said, "Out of 105 crore, the highest amount of Rs 19 crore 13 lakhs and 57,000 was paid to a single lawyer KK Singhvi."

Other nine lawyers, who were paid maximum amount includes, Anil Sakhre (Rs 10 crore 58 lakhs 51,500); G E Vahanvaty (Rs 4 crore  90 lakhs 5,500); EP Bharucha (Rs 4 crore 28 lakhs 43,250); S U Kamdar (Rs 3 crore 65 lakhs 77,000); Ramesh Bhat (Rs 2 crore 63 lakhs 27,500); Pallav Sisodiya (Rs 2 crore 6 lakhs 34 thousand 350); J Rais (1 crore 85 lakhs 25,150); B L Chabbria (1 crore 80 lakhs 81,000); Subhash Vyas (1 crore 80 lakhs 47,000).

Galgali had also sought an information about the quantum of court cases along with the fees paid. However, details were not provided stating, "Till now no such independent record is available with the law department."

As the information of cases wise lawyers details was not available, the performance of the lawyers vis-a-vis the fees paid to them cannot be ascertained or understood. Therefore, Galgali in a letter addressed to the Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte said, "The BMC should maintain individual lawyers records of cases being represented by them, which will also enable us to understand the performance of those lawyers as well as it will also give us the insight on the ability of lawyers to represent cases in forceful manner.

Galgali in a letter, also advised that the BMC should also try to have a dialogue with the litigants and if it is successful, it will save both time and money of the BMC.