Podars submit plan to revive Shakti Mills.

Owners of the defunct Shakti Mills in Mahalaxmi, where two gangrapes last year shocked and outraged the city, have told the Bombay High Court that their revival plans for the mill should not be derailed by such 'stray incidents'. Recently, the high court granted an injunction on the government's plan to take over the 29,000 sq yard land.

The Podar family, which owns the mills, had earlier this year submitted the petition seeking renewal of the lease with the state government, which ruled last month that it was taking over the plot for 'larger public use'.

The Podars said that they were not responsible in any way for the crimes committed on the premises, as the plot was in custody of the official liquidator since 1981 when the Bombay High Court issued a winding-up order.

'As stated, the property is in custodia legis and under exclusive control of respondent no. 4(official liquidator). Stray instances have not caused any damage to the property and the same cannot tantamount to a breach attributable to Shree Shakti Mills Limited (SSML) or the petitioners,' the petition said.

Mumbai Mirror