[Civil Appeal No. 7356 of 2012 arising out of SLP (C) No. 23780/2011]. In last four decades, the menace of illegal and unauthorized constructions of buildings and other structures in different parts of the country has acquired monstrous proportion. This Court has repeatedly emphasized the importance of planned development of the cities and either approved the orders passed by the High Court or itself gave directions for demolition of illegal constructions - K. Ramadas Shenoy v. Chief Officers, Town Municipal Council (1974) 2 SCC 506; Virender Gaur v. State of Haryana (1995) 2 SCC 577; Pleasant Stay Hotel v. Palani Hills Conservation Council (1995) 6 SCC 127; Cantonment Board, Jabalpur v. S.N. Awasthi 1995 Supp. SCC 595; Pratibha Coop. Housing Society Ltd.v. State of Maharashtra (1991) 3 SCC 341; G.N. Khajuria (Dr) v. Delhi development Authority (1995) 5 SCC 762; Manju Bhatia v. New Delhi Municipal Council (1997) 6 SCC 370; M.I. Builders Pvt. Ltd. v. Radhey Shyam Sahu (1999) 6 SCC 464; Friends Colony Development Committee v. State of Orissa (2004) 8 SCC 733; Shanti Sports Club v. Union of India(2009) 15 SCC 705 and Priyanka Estates International Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Assam (2010) 2 SCC 27. In K. Ramadas Shenoy v. Chief Officers, Town Municipal Council (supra), the resolution passed by the Municipal Committee authorizing construction of a cinema theatre was challenged on the ground that the site was earmarked for the construction of Kalyan Mantap-cum-Lecture Hall and the same could not have been used for any other purpose. The High Court held that the cinema theatre could not be constructed at the disputed site but declined to quash the resolution of the Municipal Committee on the ground that the theatre owner had spent huge amount.
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