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The Bombay High Court, while hearing a plea concerning welfare of washermen and rassi-holders engaged in the traditional family profession of washing clothes at Dhobi Ghat near Jacob Circle in south Mumbai, appointed two lawyers as advocate commissioners to visit the transit accommodation provided for drying clothes to ascertain if the space available was adequate.
The advocate commissioners are also directed to ascertain as to how many genuine washermen/rassi-holders are affected by the Slum Development Scheme. The HC was told the washermen were not being paid regular transit rent and that transit space is inadequate for drying clothes and their interests be protected.
The HC also said modern mechanised facilities for drying clothes be provided in the redeveloped building.
In October 2018, the HC had cleared way for the redevelopment of the Dhobi Ghat, one of the largest open laundries and a tourist attraction near Mahalaxmi railway station by rejecting pleas challenging the SRA’s project.
A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif S Doctor passed an order on a PIL by Vijay Uma Shankar Mishra filed in 2020. The HC noted that the washermen for the past more than 100 years have been using a particular heritage plot where stones with cubicles have been fixed for washing clothes and are operated by washermen on license extended to them by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Adjoining the said plot, there is another land across the road which is traditionally used for drying the washed clothes using rope (rassi) by the rassi-holders. On the said plot, the SRA had come up with the SR scheme.
Mishra, who appeared in person, submitted that there was no objection to the scheme, provided the interests of the washermen/rassi-holders who belong to lower strata of the society are protected, and the state has to be alive to their problems and constitutional rights.
“Keeping this in view, we are of the opinion that adequate steps need to be taken to protect the interest of washermen/rassi-holders at one hand and it also has to be ensured that the Slum Development Scheme floated by the SRA is carried out smoothly,” the bench noted.
The bench noted it was agreed in the meeting of stakeholders held in May 2016 that they will be paid transit rent regularly along with transit space of adequate area for drying the clothes and once the redeveloped building is completed, they will be provided with adequate space for drying in the building once the scheme is completed.
“Having regard to the scarcity of space and also taking into account the rapid strides made in technology, it would be appropriate if these washermen/rassi-holders are provided with the modern mechanized facility for drying the clothes in the building.”
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Considering apprehensions raised by the petitioner, the bench appointed advocates Ranjeev Carvalho and Vikramjeet Garewal as advocate commissioners who will also ascertain the current position of payment of transit rent. The BMC and SRA are asked to give assistance to the two lawyers. The developer will deposit Rs 50,000 each as fees for the two lawyers.
The bench also asked SRA and the developer Omkar Realtors to file their affidavits detailing about steps taken to fulfil their obligations as per the 2016 meeting.
The developer is also asked to state as to how and in what manner the mechanized drying facility will be provided to the washerman/rassi-holders in the building to be constructed under the scheme.
The HC will hear PIL next on January 10.
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