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MUMBAI:
The Supreme Court has upheld the Bombay High Court order
quashing the 20 acre land allotted to Subash Ghai’s
film institute Whistling Wood International at the Film
City, Mumbai.
Saying
that the CM cannot bend or bypass rules to give away
government land, a bench of justices H L Dattu and C
K Prasad pulled up former Maharashtra Chief Minister
Vilasrao Deshmukh for allotting the land in 2004.
"One
cannot be treated as blue-eyed boy for which chief minister
can bend or bypass rules to give away the land of the
state," the bench observed. They were of the view
that there was lack of transparency in the allotment
of land as many CMs prior to Deshmukh had not cleared
the project.
On
his part Ghai averred, “I respect the judiciary
of my country. Supreme Court dismissed our appeal
on the grounds that Maharashtra Government should
have followed proper governance to enter into a joint
venture to run a film school in film city. People
also must take precautions before dealing with the
state Government than being penalised after 10 years
with heavy investment and losses."
So
what will happen to Whistling Woods? "It will
survive as bright as ever though we may miss the land.
Land is never a strength of education, rather education
is the strength of any land. We are opening Whistling
Woods in many states now and will also carry on movie
business in full strength. We will discuss future
course of action with our team of lawyers and wait
for Government reaction on Supreme Court judgment,”
said Ghai.
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