The Bombay High Court criticised the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) for failing to complete the demolition of an unauthorised mosque in Kasarvadavli, stressing the need for law enforcement to ensure compliance with legal mandates and prevent opposition to their implementation.
The court directed the civic body to complete the remaining demolition work within two weeks after the conclusion of the holy month of Ramzan, setting an April 14 deadline for compliance, The Indian Express reported.
The directive came in response to a plea filed by New Shree Swami Samarth Borivade Housing Company Private Limited, which alleged that the mosque and prayer hall were illegally constructed on its land by a trust that had encroached upon the property since 2013.
The TMC had previously ordered the trust to demolish the structure within 15 days through an order issued on January 27, warning of further legal action in case of non-compliance.
Although the TMC had begun the demolition following a February 20 hearing, it later informed the court on March 4 that the process had been halted due to strong opposition from worshippers at the site.
The court expressed strong displeasure over the TMC’s failure to complete the demolition despite clear orders, finding no acceptable justification for the delay in removing a structure of approximately 3,600 square feet within four working days.
Observing that the civic officials appeared to be deliberately shielding illegal constructions, the court questioned their failure to prevent such a large structure from being erected despite prior complaints from the petitioner. The TMC assured the court that disciplinary action had been initiated against erring officials and that further inquiry would be conducted under service rules.
Following the submission by the respondent trust that it would not oppose the demolition, the court ordered the TMC to resume the remaining work immediately after Ramzan and complete it within the stipulated timeframe.