Dahlia Bank bungalow demolition begins on Mussoorie Cantonment Board orders

Demolition of hotelier Sanjay Narang’s bungalow, Dahlia Bank, in Landour area of Mussoorie began on Saturday on the orders of the Cantonment Board.

Demolished nearly 80% in October last year, the property stands on 2 acres in the proximity of the Institute of Technology Management (ITM), run by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

“We have started the demolition drive. It will take 10 days to dismantle the remaining 20% of the building,” said Zakir Hussain, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the board.

Officials from the administration were present with Cantonment Board members during the demolition drive.

After purchasing the property in 2009, Narang filed an application with the board, seeking permission for its renovation. Some parts of the building were more than 150 years old. The board rejected the application in 2012, saying renovation would violate the Works of Defence Act, 1903, and the Cantonment Act, 2006.

Narang, however, went ahead with the renovation and approached the civil court in Dehradun that rejected his plea. He then approached the district court, which granted permission in 2013. After that, the Cantt Board approached the Uttarakhand high court over the matter.

In 2015, the high court ordered demolition of the structures falling within 50-metre radius of the institute. The court asked for a survey, and gave 3 months’ period time to the owner after the survey.

“The measurement was conducted on March 20, and action cannot be taken until June 19,” Narang said. “It’s a contempt of court. The period (3 months) didn’t lapse and they cannot demolish the building as per the direction of the high court,” he said over the phone.

The hearing on the matter is scheduled for next week.