Youngest 26/11 Survivor Granted Housing by Maharashtra Govt

The Maharashtra state government has told the Bombay High Court of its resolution to provide housing to Devika Rotawan under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota. 

Rotawan, recognized as one of the youngest survivors of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, had been awaiting this decision, which was prompted by the High Court's criticism of the state's lack of empathy in handling her housing request.

The state's housing department, represented by additional government pleader Jyoti Chavan, assured Justices Girish Kulkarni and Firdosh Pooniwalla that Rotawan would be granted a residence within six months, choosing from projects managed by either MHADA or SRA.

The court expressed its satisfaction with the state's decision, acknowledging it as a just response to the hardships endured by Rotawan since the attacks. The High Court thus concluded Rotawan's petition, stipulating that the housing allotment and transfer of possession must occur within the specified six-month period.

Rotawan, who was only nine years old during the 2008 attacks, witnessed the horror firsthand at the CSMT railway station. Her plea for a state-provided house stemmed from the ongoing struggles faced by her family due to the injuries and disabilities sustained in the attack.

Despite initial resistance from the state, which cited previous compensation, the High Court underscored the severity of Rotawan's situation, prompting a reevaluation of her case. The plea highlighted the dire financial straits of Rotawan's family, emphasizing the risk of homelessness due to their inability to afford rent.

The 26/11 attacks, orchestrated by ten LeT terrorists, resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives and left several injured during the prolonged siege. Security forces, including the NSG, neutralized nine attackers, while the sole survivor, Ajmal Kasab, was later executed in 2012.