India's Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the renovation of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's iconic Mumbai residence, Mannat, ruling that homeowners have the legal right to renovate their private property as long as all legal requirements are met.
During the hearing, the court questioned the intent behind the petition and observed that every citizen has the right to construct, repair or renovate their residence within the framework of the law.
The petition had challenged the government approval granted to Shah Rukh Khan and his wife, Gauri Khan, for renovation work at their sea-facing bungalow in Mumbai's Bandra area.
The petitioner alleged that the project had proceeded without mandatory approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and claimed that environmental regulations had been violated.
The petitioner's counsel, Shoaib Alam, urged the Supreme Court to send the matter back to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for reconsideration. However, the apex court rejected the request.
Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that Mannat is a private residence and that its owners are entitled to renovate or modify it provided they comply with the applicable laws.
The court also clarified that Shah Rukh Khan's celebrity status would have no bearing on the outcome of the case, saying the matter would be decided solely on legal merits.
Earlier, the National Green Tribunal had also dismissed the petition, ruling that the renovation project complied with environmental regulations and had obtained all necessary statutory approvals.
