MUMBAI: Supreme Court Halts BMC's Demolition of Unauthorized Vakola Structure

The Supreme Court has stayed the demolition of an unauthorized structure in Vakola, initiated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This decision came a day after the BMC assured the Bombay High Court it would demolish the building within a week.

On Thursday, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna Varale directed the immediate halting of the demolition and scheduled the next hearing for December 5. The court also sought a report on the delayed uploading of the High Court’s order that prompted the demolition.

The case stems from a 2016 BMC notice to remove unauthorized construction. The occupants, Rajendra Gomai and his family, obtained a High Court status quo order, which the BMC alleged was violated by further illegal construction. A stop-work notice was issued in 2018.

The Bombay High Court recently criticized the Gomais for misusing the status quo order to justify illegal extensions and slammed BMC officials for “unacceptable” responses, hinting at possible collusion. The Supreme Court’s intervention has temporarily halted the demolition pending further hearings.