Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has come down heavily on the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and other officials for allegedly stalling a slum redevelopment project at Vile Parle, Mumbai, and directed them to issue a commencement certificate (CC) to Sateri Builders & Developers LLP.

Court Clears Builder’s Plea

A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Arif Doctor on Friday allowed the writ petition filed by Sateri Builders and a slum society, Shree Gurukrupa SRA CHS, challenging repeated obstructions to the project. The bench noted that despite the project having been cleared earlier by the court and the Supreme Court, the authorities were still raising fresh objections.

Redevelopment Dispute Since 2020
The dispute relates to a plot and an adjoining D.P. Road plot on Dayaldas Road, which the developer was appointed to redevelop under a Slum Rehabilitation Scheme in November 2020. The SRA had granted a Letter of Intent (LOI) and Intimation of Approval (IOA) in May 2022 after directing the developer to also accommodate persons affected by the road widening (PAPs).

However, some slum dwellers and a rival developer allegedly backed by a local MLA, Parag Alavani (respondent 9), challenged the approvals. Though the Apex Grievance Redressal Committee (AGRC) initially set aside the LOI in July 2022, the high court reinstated it in April 2024, and the apex court upheld that order in May 2024.

Petitioners Accuse MLA of Interference

Society’s advocates Mayur Khandeparkar and Rishi Bhatt too submitted that the project was unnecessarily being stalled due to interference by Alavani.

Developers Claim Project Stymied

Senior advocate Anil Sakhare and advocate Yogesh Sankpal, appearing for the builder, argued that “the entire redevelopment was being systematically stymied at every stage solely due to the interference of Respondent No. 9, acting in support of a rival developer.”

He pointed out that the SRA even issued a fresh notice on July 31, 2025, asking for another proposal for the D.P. Road plot despite its inclusion already being approved and upheld.

Court Pulls Up SRA for Abdicating Duty

The court observed: “It would indeed reflect a most sorry state of affairs when any statutory authority abdicates its statutory duties on account of any extraneous or extrajudicial intervention… Respondent No. 2 (SRA) appears to have done so in the present case.”

State Defends Housing Minister’s Role

Advocate General Birendra Saraf, appearing for the state, clarified that the Housing Minister “merely held a meeting and has not issued any binding directions nor any decision was taken,” and that the SRA must act independently.

HC Orders CC to Be Issued Without Delay

Noting that the builder had complied with its obligations, including rent deposits for PAPs, the court said there was “absolutely no reason” to withhold the CC. It directed the authorities to “complete the procedure and issue the CC” and restrained them from entertaining “any complaints and/or interference from Respondents 8 (Pagrani Universal Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, another developer) and 9 insofar as they pertain to the present slum scheme.”

The court emphasized that the Slums Act is a welfare legislation enacted to improve the living conditions of persons compelled to reside in slums, in poverty, filth and squalor.

“The primary object of the Slums Act is to ensure that slum dwellers are protected from eviction without rehabilitation and are provided with decent, secure, and hygienic housing/living conditions,” the bench added.

Mumbai: A four-year-old girl tragically died after accidentally falling headfirst into a water-filled bucket at her home in Malad East. The incident occurred on August 19, when her family was collecting water during the limited supply hours. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The Dindoshi police have registered a case of accidental death.

Police Note Child Had Mental Health Condition

The deceased, identified as Akriti Yadav, lived with her parents and two siblings in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Malad East. Her parents work as daily wage labourers. According to the police, Akriti had a mental health condition.

On the morning of the incident, Akriti’s parents and relatives woke up early to store water in buckets, tubs and drums. Sometime later, Akriti woke up, walked towards one of the buckets, and accidentally toppled in headfirst. A family member noticed her legs protruding from the bucket and immediately raised an alarm.

Gadchiroli (Maharashtra): The Maharashtra Police registered a case against former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for allegedly posting defamatory and socially divisive remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed at Gadchiroli police station on Friday following a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Milind Ramji Narote.

Tejashwi’s Controversial Post Alleging PM Modi Is A Liar

Narote, who represents the Gadchiroli Assembly constituency, stated in his complaint that some party workers drew his attention to certain posts on Yadav’s official X account (@yadavtejashwi). According to him, the posts accused Prime Minister Modi of being a ‘liar’ and making false promises. The complaint further mentioned that one of the posts included a song ridiculing the Prime Minister, with lyrics claiming he ‘lies morning and evening.’

The BJP legislator said he personally verified the posts before approaching the police. He alleged that Yadav’s remarks were not only defamatory but also derogatory and socially divisive. “Such propaganda has caused resentment among sensible citizens of Gadchiroli and is aimed at disturbing peace and harmony,” the MLA said in his statement. Narote also accused Yadav of repeatedly making such comments on social media, arguing that the conduct amounted to a criminal act. To support his claims, he submitted screenshots of the posts as evidence.

Based on the complaint, police booked Yadav under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include Section 196(1)(a), which pertains to the use of words, signs, or digital communication that promote hatred or ill-will, and Section 196(1)(b), which covers acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony.

He was also charged under Section 356(2), relating to derogatory statements against the government intended to cause public mischief, and Section 356(3), which deals with repeated instances of such remarks. Additionally, Sections 352 and 353(2) were invoked, concerning attempts to spread disharmony or hatred through speech, writing or digital media. While police have confirmed that the FIR has been lodged, there has been no immediate reaction from Tejashwi Yadav or his party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).