Mumbai : Distinguished criminal lawyer, Ram Jethmalani,
on Monday, assumed the role of the counsel for the residents
of the distraught Sindhi community of Ulhasnagar. He will
also consider advising the state, apart from taking on the
Bombay High Court, if necessary.
Jethmalani had been reluctant when approached with the case
previously. However, this time, he has made up his mind to
fight for the town. “I am a Sindhi and will do my best
to help the people of Ulhasnagar,” he said. In fact,
the former Union Law Minister has refused to take even his
professional fees. “I have been hesitating in taking
up new work, but I will advise and help the people of Ulhasnagar,”
said Jethmalani, who has been trying to lessen his workload.
In the last few weeks, Ulhasnagar—the distant suburb
is home to more than 5 lakh residents, mainly Sindhis who
migrated from Pakistan after the Partition—has witnessed
sporadic violence and protests over the high court’s
decision to demolish 855 illegal buildings.
Kanhaiyyalal Gidwani, Shiv Sena Member of Legislative Council,
had threatened to give up his membership of the Council if
the state government failed to undertake the cause of more
than 1 lakh residents close to being left homeless. It is
believed that Gidwani persuaded Jethmalani to take up the
defense, if required. The State Legislative Council Deputy
Chairman, Vasant Davkhare, had directed the state government
to structure Special Development Control Rules (DC) for the
town of Ulhasnagar. He had stated that it was not ‘‘proper’’
to affect the standard DCR to Ulhasnagar as it ‘‘originally
was a settlement for refugees who came from Pakistan.”
He had said in his ruling that the government must bear in
mind, the unusual circumstances that have been the cause of
the unplanned expansion in the city. Davkhare had also cautioned
the state government against a possible contempt of court
and called for a suitable execution of the directives to avoid
the wrath of the court. Gidwani is now hopeful, that the sate
government will act soon.
“I am going to appeal to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh
to take in Jethmalani’s legal advice on this matter,”
said Gidwani. “Jethmalani belongs to the same community
and can understand issues better,” he added. The decision
of framing the special rules for Ulhasnagar now lies in the
hands of the Chief Minister. If the state moves the High Court
to ask for a deferment of the demolitions, Jethmalani will
most certainly stand up for the Sindhi community.
