India, Dec. 31 -- The Bombay high court strongly criticised the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for "succumbing to political interference" and illegally stalling redevelopment projects while clearing the way for two cooperative housing societies in Lokmanyanagar, Sadashiv Peth, to proceed with redevelopment.

A division bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe quashed the stay imposed on Sunglory and Nutan Co-operative Housing Societies, calling MHADA's actions "arbitrary, factually incorrect, and a colourable exercise of power". The court said MHADA officials are answerable to "We the People" and cannot allow political pressure to override statutory duties.

The redevelopment had been halted after Kasba P...