Mumbai has bid farewell to a landmark of its policing history. The iconic stone building of the Mumbai Crime Branch, situated within the Police Commissioner’s Headquarters near Crawford Market, was recently demolished after being deemed structurally unsafe. While the building itself will no longer house officers, city authorities have confirmed that the legacy it symbolised will endure through the preservation of its stones in a new memorial wall at the Naigaon Police Parade Ground.
Constructed in 1909 during the British colonial era, the stone structure played a pivotal role in the city’s criminal investigations for over a century. It housed high-profile interrogations of notorious criminals including Ajmal Kasab, Sanjay Dutt during the 1993 serial blasts probe, and international fugitives such as Charles Sobhraj. Underworld figures like Chhota Rajan, Abu Salem, and Arun Gawli were also brought before officers here, cementing the building’s reputation as the nerve centre of Mumbai policing. “Although the structure was no longer safe for occupation, its historical importance remains irreplaceable. Preserving the stones ensures the legacy of Mumbai’s crime branch continues for future generations,” said a senior police official involved in the project.
The building, which had deteriorated significantly, was constructed using black steel-reinforced stone and featured authentic teakwood interiors and pillars. Despite its architectural significance, it was not officially listed as a heritage structure. The decision to demolish was informed by a structural audit, which concluded that the building could no longer safely support operational functions. Officers, both serving and retired, have expressed strong emotional responses to the demolition. Many visited the site to pay tribute to the historic edifice, sharing memories and photographs that recount decades of investigative excellence. Retired officers highlighted the building’s symbolic value as a space of authority and accountability in the fight against crime.
The preserved stones will now be integrated into a fortress-style memorial wall at the Naigaon Police Parade Ground. This initiative is intended not only to safeguard historical materials but also to provide a tangible connection for residents and future police personnel to the city’s law enforcement heritage. Urban historians and architectural experts have noted that such initiatives are vital in fast-developing cities like Mumbai, where rapid infrastructure changes often erase colonial-era landmarks. Preserving these remnants aligns with broader city goals of sustainable and inclusive urban development, balancing modernisation with cultural memory.
Through this approach, Mumbai ensures that even as the city evolves, its policing legacy, architectural history, and institutional memory remain embedded in public consciousness.
Mumbai Crime Branch Stone Building Demolished Legacy Preserved Through Memorial Wall
