The Bombay High Court last week observed it could not recognise any rights of the petitioner – Rassi (rope) holders, who wash clothes at Dhobi Ghat near South Mumbai’s Jacob Circle — to obstruct the Slum Rehabilitation (SR) project when an alternate site has been offered to them.

The court, while disposing of a plea by rassi-holders, said they were using the land only for inserting ropes and were not enjoying occupation of any residential or commercial structure. Therefore, they cannot cause any hurdle and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is free to take action to ensure smooth redevelopment, it added.

Some of the petitioners entered into an amicable settlement with the developer. The settlement related to transit rent to be paid for five years and assistance to find an alternate

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