The HC said that it will consider the issues related to floors 1 to 16 having part-OC without fire approval during the next hearing on August 13.The Bombay High Court on Wednesday “unwillingly” and on “humanitarian considerations” granted three more weeks to occupants of the top 18 floors of a 34-storey highrise in Tardeo, south Mumbai — that did not have occupation certificates (OC) — from vacating their premises, at their own risk and face consequences in event of any untoward incident.The court clarified that occupants of floors 17 to 34 of the Willingdon View Cooperative Housing Society tower will have to give an undertaking in that regard within two days, failing which Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) can take action and seal their flats at the cost of occupants failing to file an undertaking before the court.A bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Arif S Doctor was hearing pleas pertaining to the highrise occupied by 50 flat purchasers of a total of 62 flats. The society in its interim application had sought more time to vacate the flats from the 17th floor to the 34th.This comes after the Supreme Court on August 1 dismissed a special leave petition (SLP) by the society that challenged a Bombay HC order from last month that directed “selfish” residents occupying the top 18 floors and without OCs to vacate their premises within two weeks, the period of which was to expire on August 2.The bench led by Justice Kulkarni had last month clarified that members residing from floors 17 to 34 “would be entitled to occupy the tenements, only after OC is granted.” The bench had also raised concerns over no fire NOC to the entire highrise.The court had pulled up occupants of the tower for “brazen illegalities” for years and being “least bothered” about their own and others’ lives and had said it cannot permit perpetuating illegalities as the same was deprecated. The bench had said the said occupants were earlier told to make alternate arrangements.The SC bench led by Justice J B Pardiwalla on August 1 had appreciated “courage and conviction exhibited by the High Court in taking stern steps against such unauthorised constructions”. The SC had asked petitioners to approach HC in case they wanted some more time to vacate the premises.Story continues below this adSenior advocate Dinyar Madon for the society claimed that it was difficult for 27 families occupying 18 floors to find alternate accommodation on leave and licenses basis within a short span, therefore the time be extended.“We were hopeful about SC… There are difficulties. 50 percent of these people belong to the Jain community and Paryushan and Ganesh Utsav will start soon. There are school going children. Getting alternate accommodation for 27 families in short time is difficult,” Madon argued.“We never had an inclination from the beginning. Everyday we are perpetuating illegality (by continuing occupation) and it cannot happen. You are making a mercy plea that you may be permitted to occupy for more time in the teeth of the law,” the judges orally remarked.“In the facts and circumstances, we are not inclined to accept prayer (seeking extension of 12 weeks). However, only on humanitarian consideration and quite unwillingly we grant further extension of 3 weeks (from August 6) to the occupants of 17 to 34 floors to vacate their respective tenements and undertaking to that effect be placed before this court within 2 days, ” the HC recorded in its orderStory continues below this adThe court permitted concerned families to occupy the flats for three more weeks at their own risk and disposed of the society’s application.The HC said that it will consider the issues related to floors 1 to 16 having part-OC without fire approval during the next hearing on August 13.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Bombay High CourtMumbai