The Supreme Court today issued a notice in a contempt petition against the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), alleging the illegal demolition of a Gurudwara in violation of its stay order on demolitions issued in the “bulldozer matter.” A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan directed that the status quo be maintained until the next hearing.
Advocate Rukhmini Bobde, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the demolition was conducted without prior notice and violated the Court’s September 17 order, which prohibited demolitions without its explicit permission. She also informed the Court that the holy Guru Granth Sahib was removed during the demolition and that records would confirm the Gurudwara’s existence.
The authorities claimed the site was designated for solid waste management. However, Bobde countered that the land was intended for constructing housing for employees of the solid waste management department and cited official communications referring to the structure as a dargah.
The demolition was reportedly carried out under Section 314 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, citing the structure as obstructing a street or water body. The petitioners argued that construction beams have already been placed at the site, prompting the Court to maintain the status quo.
The September 17 stay order prohibited demolitions without Supreme Court approval but exempted encroachments on public roads, footpaths, railway lines, or water bodies. The case is among several contempt petitions alleging violations of this directive, including petitions from Assam and Gujarat residents regarding demolitions of religious sites.
Case Title: Pravin Jivan Walodra v. Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner, MCGM & Ors.
Diary No.: 58625-2024
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