Mumbai: The Centre on Monday informed Bombay high court it is considering the takeover of late nuclear scientist Homi Bhabha’s bungalow in Malabar Hill in Mumbai. It wants to convert the house into a museum, in public interest. The bungalow “Mehrangir”, which is located in South Mumbai, was sold to a businessman for Rs372 crore during an auction recently.
“The Office of the Prime Minister of India has written a letter to the Department of Legal Affairs to present the central government’s viewpoint before the court. The office of the Prime Minister is exploring possibilities of adopting appropriate proceedings to acquire Homi Bhabha’s property to retain his memory,” an affidavit filed by the Under Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)said.
The affidavit also stated that DAE has urged the Maharashtra government to declare the bungalow as a protected monument under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. It added that making the bungalow a museum-cum-exhibition centre would inspire the youth of India and would be a great tribute to Homi Bhabha.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah posted the matter for further hearing on 30 June. The bungalow was auctioned by its current owner—National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)—last week and an undisclosed buyer made the winning bid of Rs372 crore for the 17,150 square feet property.
Earlier, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) employees represented by atomic energy workers and staff union of BARC president Prashant Worlikar as well as president of national forum for aided institutions employees (Department of Atomic Energy), Raam Vitthal Dhuri, had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to halt the bungalow’s auction.
