‘Why should neighbours intervene?’: Supreme Court dismisses plea against Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat expansion

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stop the planned expansion of actor Shah Rukh Khan’s Mumbai home, Mannat. The court dismissed an appeal that questioned the environmental approval given for adding two new residential floors to the famous sea-facing bungalow.

The decision means the clearance granted for the construction remains valid, as the country’s top court found no reason to interfere with an earlier order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

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Supreme Court finds no reason to interfere

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard the matter.

The appeal challenged an order of the NGT’s Western Zone Bench in Pune, which had already rejected objections raised by Mumbai-based activist Santosh Daundkar over the construction approval.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for Daundkar, argued that the case should be examined only on legal grounds and not because it involved one of India’s biggest film stars. He also told the court that the petitioner had earlier exposed the Adarsh housing scam and had worked as a respected activist.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi made it clear that Shah Rukh Khan’s celebrity status had no role in the court’s thinking.

“We are in no way influenced by all of this,” he said.

Chief Justice says rules were largely followed

The Chief Justice observed that the authorities responsible for granting permission had already found that the project largely followed the applicable rules.

He also questioned why anyone should interfere if homeowners wanted to add more space to their own residence after obtaining the required permissions.

“They are living there. If in a residential house they want to have additional floors, it’s their choice. Law is broadly followed. Why neighbour or anybody else should intervene?” the Chief Justice remarked.

The court also expressed doubts about the petitioner’s intentions. The Chief Justice said he had “very serious doubts” about the petitioner’s good faith in bringing the case.

However, Alam responded by pointing out that even the National Green Tribunal had not questioned the petitioner’s intentions. He requested that the matter at least be sent back to the tribunal for a detailed examination, arguing that the case raised important legal questions and should not be dismissed at an early stage.

The Supreme Court was not convinced and dismissed the appeal.