Times of India: Mumbai: Wednesday, 29 March 2023.
In the last seven years, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has spent more than Rs 3.8 crore in legal expenses incurred on litigations over the proposed Aarey Colony car depot for the 32.5km Colaba-Bandra-Seepz underground project and other Metro works, the agency said in its reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query.
After environmentalists had objected to building a car depot in Aarey Colony, saying it would lead to a loss of tree cover and endanger the ecology, the MMRC had to battle the issue in the National Green Tribunal, the Bombay high court and even the Supreme Court.
"Between December 30, 2015 and January 9, 2023, the MMRC has spent a total of Rs 3.82 crore as litigation costs," said activist Anil Galgali, who had sought information with regards to names of counsel, court expenses, legal expenses, counsel fees, etc.
"Former advocate general of Maharashtra Ashutosh Kumbhakoni was paid Rs 1.13 crore, advocate Aspi Chinoy Rs 83.19 lakh and advocate Kiran Bhaglia Rs 77.33 lakh for representing the MMRC," said Galgali.
He added that among the other advocates who had received payments were Tushar Mehta Rs 26.4 lakh, Maninder Singh Rs 21.23 lakh, Rukmini Bobde Rs 7 lakh, Chitale and Chitale Rs 6.99 lakh, Shardul Singh Rs 5.81 lakh, Atul Chitale Rs 3.30 lakh and G W Mattos Rs 1.77 lakh.
In the last seven years, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has spent more than Rs 3.8 crore in legal expenses incurred on litigations over the proposed Aarey Colony car depot for the 32.5km Colaba-Bandra-Seepz underground project and other Metro works, the agency said in its reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query.
After environmentalists had objected to building a car depot in Aarey Colony, saying it would lead to a loss of tree cover and endanger the ecology, the MMRC had to battle the issue in the National Green Tribunal, the Bombay high court and even the Supreme Court.
"Between December 30, 2015 and January 9, 2023, the MMRC has spent a total of Rs 3.82 crore as litigation costs," said activist Anil Galgali, who had sought information with regards to names of counsel, court expenses, legal expenses, counsel fees, etc.
"Former advocate general of Maharashtra Ashutosh Kumbhakoni was paid Rs 1.13 crore, advocate Aspi Chinoy Rs 83.19 lakh and advocate Kiran Bhaglia Rs 77.33 lakh for representing the MMRC," said Galgali.
He added that among the other advocates who had received payments were Tushar Mehta Rs 26.4 lakh, Maninder Singh Rs 21.23 lakh, Rukmini Bobde Rs 7 lakh, Chitale and Chitale Rs 6.99 lakh, Shardul Singh Rs 5.81 lakh, Atul Chitale Rs 3.30 lakh and G W Mattos Rs 1.77 lakh.
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