India, Aug. 3 -- In a setback to dozens of families living in South Mumbai's upscale Tardeo neighbourhood, the Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay a Bombay High Court order directing residents of the upper floors of Willingdon View Co-operative Housing Society, constructed by Satellite Holdings, to vacate their homes for lack of an occupancy certificate (OC).

The residents, who have been living in flats from the 17th to 34th floor of the 34-storey building for over a decade, were earlier ordered by the Bombay High Court to vacate within two weeks. The court found the occupation illegal, citing grave violations of municipal and fire safety regulations.

Rejecting the housing society's plea, the Supreme Court bench of justices J B Pard...