PMC told to act on Jewish cemetery grab in Panvel

Petition filed by Jewish Heritage Trust; alleges illegal encroachments, including illegal constructions, hoardings; used by communities in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, Karjat and Khopoli

- Urvi Mahajani

The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) to decide on the legality of the alleged illegal encroachments and constructions on a Jewish cemetery plot.

The 200-year-old Jewish cemetery in Panvel includes a holy Israel lake used for the ritualistic cleansing of bodies before burial.

A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne noted that the civic body has a statutory obligation to remove encroachments and keep water bodies clean under the provisions of the Mumbai Regional Town Planning Act and the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act.