Maharashtra
Bombay HC Slams BMC Over Powai Road Encroachments, Warns City Being ‘Surrendered’ To Illegal Structures
Mumbai, Feb 12: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over alleged inaction against encroachments on a key Powai road, remarking that the civic body appeared to be “surrendering Mumbai to encroachers” instead of keeping public roads clear.
A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri also slammed the civic body for “lack of will, desire and courage” to take action against the encroachers and asked what would become of Mumbai in the next two decades if illegal encroachments continued unchecked.
“If a stop is not put to this (illegal structures), in the future people would be forced to use only two-wheelers, bicycles or horses on roads which would be taken over by encroachers,” the court observed.
Petition over 90-foot road obstruction
The court was hearing a petition by Beaumont HFSI Pre-primary School in Powai and its principal Kalyani Patnai, which complained that a nearly 90-foot-wide road connecting several schools to the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) had been encroached upon by hutments, toilets and other structures, severely obstructing pedestrians and motorists.
Senior advocate Naushad Engineer, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that repeated complaints to the BMC had yielded no concrete action. He alleged that the civic body had, in fact, installed toilets and supplied water to encroachers. “It was the BMC which went and installed toilets and is supplying water to these encroachers,” he argued, pointing to photographs on record.
Court questions civic resolve
Visibly displeased, the bench said: “Why don’t you (BMC) tell us that you don’t have the will, desire and courage to remove encroachers. Then we will record that Mumbai is surrendered to encroachers.”
Referring to the photographs, the court added that if the encroachments continued, “people will have to ride a bicycle” on what is meant to be a major road. “Everywhere, roads are left with only one or two lanes and then there are traffic jams. Cars cannot move — a person walks faster than such cars stuck in jams,” it remarked.
BMC advocate Dhruti Kapadia told the court that officials faced resistance and even attacks when attempting demolition drives. She sought two months’ time to clear the encroachments.
Warning of contempt action
The judges, however, criticised what they termed a pattern of appeasement. “When squatters realise that when they squat on a concrete road, BMC will give them a toilet… you are generous towards encroachers,” the bench observed, adding that the civic body was “in quicksand” of its own making. It added: “Isn’t the BMC promoting encroachments like this? This is a grim situation. If you stop giving them water and toilet facilities, they will move. But you have been giving them (facilities) on a platter.”
When informed that a movable toilet could not be removed, the bench reacted sharply: “This is a ‘firta shauchalay’ (moving toilet). It has to be put up on a truck and moved… You are promoting encroachment.”
Calling the situation “grim”, the court warned of strict consequences if timelines were not honoured. “This is the last chance… otherwise we will initiate suo motu contempt,” it said, likening the cycle of removal and reappearance of encroachments to a “Tom and Jerry show.”
The bench directed the deputy municipal commissioner concerned to remain present in court and file an affidavit stating a firm timeline for removal of the encroachments. It also ordered a senior police officer from the Powai area to be present to assist the court regarding protection during demolition.
The judges remarked that people have limited time on this planet and each person’s endeavour must be to keep the environment and the city in such a good condition that the next generation reaps its benefits. “Our next generation should not say we have been callous with our city,” it said.
Emphasising the broader public impact, the judges noted that heavy school traffic and daily commuting had been crippled. “We are more concerned with the hurt caused to people of Mumbai,” the bench said.
Crime
Mumbai: Jogeshwari School’s Sudden Closure Plan Sparks Panic Among Parents, MNS Steps In

Mumbai: The sudden decision to shut down City International School in Jogeshwari West has triggered anxiety among parents of more than 600 students, even as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) intervened and warned the management against closing the institution.
The English-medium school, located in the Oshiwara area, has been operating for nearly 25 years. However, the management recently issued a notice to parents stating that the school would be closed, reportedly due to a steep hike in rent demanded by the landlord.
The landlord has sought a payment of ₹50 lakh for the premises, where the school was earlier paying a monthly rent of around ₹35 lakh reported Media. Citing its inability to bear the increased financial burden, the school administration decided to shut operations.
The announcement has caused confusion and fear among parents, as the admission process for the upcoming academic year is already underway. Many families are now worried about their children’s future, as they may have to seek new schools at short notice.
Following complaints from parents, MNS Versova Assembly Division president Sandesh Desai visited the school premises and held discussions with the management. Desai warned that the party would not allow the school to shut down abruptly, especially if it results in academic loss for the students.
Desai stated that the party would launch a strong agitation if the management proceeds with the closure at the cost of the students. A delegation from the MNS met the school authorities on Friday to discuss the issue and seek clarity on the decision.
Meanwhile, parents have demanded immediate intervention from the education department. They have urged authorities to take cognisance of the situation and ensure that the students do not suffer due to the dispute between the landlord and the school management.
With the academic year approaching, parents are hoping for a quick resolution, while political intervention has added pressure on the management to reconsider its decision or provide a proper transition plan for the affected students.
Crime
Navi Mumbai Police Set Up Anti-Narcotics Task Cell At Every Station To Tackle Drug Network

Navi Mumbai, Feb 13: In a move to dismantle the drug network in the city, the Navi Mumbai Police have stepped up their efforts by announcing the establishment of an Anti-Narcotics Task Cell (ANTC) at every police station level. The initiative aims to intensify and streamline anti-drug operations, ensuring swift and effective action against drug mafias at the local level.
Instead of relying solely on the central Anti-Narcotics Cell, the police have decided to empower local units to combat the growing menace of narcotics.
The ANTC at each police station will focus on gathering intelligence about individuals involved in the sale and storage of drugs, conducting immediate raids without waiting for orders from senior offices once credible information is received, strengthening investigations with technical and legal backing, and maintaining a proper legal chain of custody of seized contraband to ensure successful prosecution of offenders.
The cell at each police station will function under the guidance of the Senior Police Inspector, while the Police Inspector (Crime) will hold direct responsibility for its operations. The teams will work in close coordination with the central Anti-Narcotics Cell.
Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe said, “Making Navi Mumbai drug-free is our top priority. Through the Anti-Narcotics Task Cell, we have expanded our policing network. Now, every police station will have a dedicated team working exclusively against narcotics. Citizens should not hesitate to inform the police if they notice any suspicious or illegal activities in their area. The identity of informants will be kept confidential.”
The training for the functioning of ANTC for the staff of police stations has been done, the Commissioner said.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: NCP leader Anil Deshmukh strongly demands an inquiry into the suspension of former police commissioner Parambir Singh from Lilavati Hospital.

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Home Minister NCP leader Anil Deshmukh has demanded that the state government investigate the complaint of doctors at Lilavati Hospital over the suspension of former police commissioner Parambir Singh from Lilavati Hospital, as the doctors have accused Parambir Singh of demanding Rs 25 lakh per week from each. He said that Parambir Singh’s method is that if you accuse him, he accuses you. He said that Parambir Singh was also the conspirator in the recovery of gelatin explosives in front of industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house, Antilia, so the matter was investigated and handed over to the ATS, after which it was revealed that Parambir Singh was the main conspirator and mastermind in it. When Parambir Singh was suspended, he accused us. He was questioned by Bombay High Court Judge Chandiwal due to the allegations. When our lawyer said that Parambir Singh should also be summoned to the court in this matter, summons were issued two to three times, but Parambir Singh did not appear and later when a warrant was issued, it was found that he had fled the country. It is surprising that after making such serious allegations, Parambir Singh did not appear in the court proceedings. He said that today Lilavati Hospital has alleged that Parambir Singh has misused his powers and demanded Rs 25 lakh from each doctor, which is why he has been suspended. These allegations have been made by the Board of Directors. A full inquiry should be conducted into this. Regarding the former Police Commissioner, the Lilavati administration felt that he was an officer, but like in the past, they have continued the matter of making accusations. When he was accused in the Antilia case, he had accused me. Similarly, now they are making allegations against Lilavati Hospital as well. He said that a full investigation is necessary so that the facts come out. In the explanation given by Parambir Singh on social media, it is said that he has not been suspended from Lilavati Hospital, but he himself has left this responsibility.
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