Jai Bhim Nagar Demolition Fallout Residents Seek High Court Relief
Twenty-eight residents of Jai Bhim Nagar in Powai have taken their plight to the Bombay High Court, seeking compensation and legal action against Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials after the demolition of nearly 650 tenements earlier this month. The residents, predominantly from Scheduled Castes, assert their lawful residency of over three decades, backed by documents such as Aadhar cards, ration cards, and utility bills.
The dispute originated when a prominent developer aimed to acquire the land, offering residents relocation to Mahatma Phule Nagar instead of their preferred on-site alternative. Despite the builder’s efforts to secure eviction through legal channels, the courts upheld the residents’ right to remain, marking a final decision. In 2017, the situation escalated when the BMC issued an eviction notice under section 152 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, despite acknowledging the residents’ longstanding presence through hearings before the State Human Rights Commission. The recent demolition, announced by the BMC on June 3, allegedly lacked proper legal notification, triggering protests and subsequent police action on June 6.
During the demolition, residents reported police brutality, including assaults on women and children, further exacerbating tensions. The residents have petitioned the high court demanding accountability, urging for FIRs against police and BMC officials for offences including assault and illegal eviction, underlining violations of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Their plea also seeks the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident promptly, alongside reconstruction of demolished homes at BMC’s expense and adequate compensation for losses. Despite complaints to authorities, including the police commissioner and deputy commissioner, the residents claim no substantive action has been taken, leaving them homeless during the monsoon season. The impending court hearing on July 9 before a bench led by Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Shyam C Chandak underscores the urgency and gravity of the residents’ legal battle for justice and restitution in the aftermath of the Jai Bhim Nagar demolition.
