India, Aug. 19 -- The Bombay high court has come down heavily on the state social welfare department for obstructing the redevelopment of a dangerously dilapidated 50-year-old building in Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli East, warning that its officers would be held personally liable if any mishap occurs.

A division bench of justices GS Kulkarni and Arif Doctor last week directed the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to clear within 15 days the redevelopment proposal of Yug Pravartak Cooperative Housing Society, which houses 20 families. The court clarified that Mhada should not insist on a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the social welfare department.

The judges expressed "shock and surprise" at the stay imposed b...