Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a coordinated action to implement the directions issued by the court. The Supreme Court had issued the necessary directions regarding the Orchid City Centre Mall located on Belasis Road in Mumbai Central area. As part of this process, a joint notice has been issued to the concerned owners/developers as well as the users/occupants of stalls, units and shops, directing them to vacate the premises of Orchid City Centre Mall. Further, clear instructions have been issued that entry or use of the mall premises is prohibited until formal permission is obtained from the competent authority. A coordination meeting was recently held by the BMC’s ‘D’ ward. Officers of the concerned municipal departments, representatives of Nagpada Police Station and Best Undertaking as well as representatives associated with Orchid City Centre Mall also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the representatives of the mall management were directed to voluntarily and strictly comply with the order of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Orders In 2020, a fire broke out at the Orchid City Centre Mall located on Belasis Road in Mumbai Central. In this context, the Supreme Court issued directions on August 25, 2026. It should be strictly ensured that the entire Orchid City Centre Mall building which has been damaged due to fire shall not be used for any purpose until the developer completes comprehensive repairs of the entire structure. The building cannot be used in any manner until the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration is satisfied that the entire structure (including all floors) is completely safe for all activities and works and complies with all legal requirements. Directions issued by the court The Supreme Court has ordered that the entire building be kept completely sealed and no one should be allowed to enter the premises.

In light of the Supreme Court order, on the directions of the Supreme Court, it was decided during the meeting to conduct a joint operation to vacate the Orchid City Centre Mall building, involving the Building and Factory Department, Building Proposal Department and Mumbai Fire Brigade of the BMC. Accordingly, a joint notice has been issued to the concerned owners/developers as well as the users/occupants of the stalls, units and shops regarding the vacating of the building. Public notices prohibiting citizens and users from entering, using or occupying the building have been displayed in the premises of the mall. The notices clarify that the entire Orchid City Centre Mall cannot be used, and entry will remain strictly prohibited, until the Hon’ble. Supreme Court’s directions are followed and prior permission is taken from the competent authority. Meanwhile, instructions have been issued to disconnect the water supply of the mall, take appropriate action regarding the municipal license and disconnect the electricity supply (except for the electricity required for construction purposes). Nagpara Police has been directed to provide necessary police security for the smooth conduct of the operation and maintenance of law and order.

The BMC administration appeals to all concerned parties to voluntarily comply with the court’s directions. They are urged not to enter or use the premises of the mall until formal permission is obtained from the competent authority and to fully cooperate with the municipal and police administration. However, the administration has made it clear that if the directions are not followed, strict action as per the law and the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court will be taken regarding vacating and sealing the premises.
Meanwhile, the concerned departments of the Municipal Corporation will independently take necessary action within their respective legal jurisdiction. The administration has further stated that any future permissions regarding entry, use, or occupancy of the building will be granted by the Municipal Corporation acting as the competent authority, as per the directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Mumbai: As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, the draft electoral rolls have been published under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 programme. Claims and objections regarding the draft rolls, such as cases where names are missing or there are problems with the existing entries, can be filed till September 30, 2026. Voters are being informed about this through various channels. However, District Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has appealed to all political parties to encourage voters to include their names in the voter list by completing the necessary documents. Meanwhile, representatives of political parties have expressed satisfaction over the actions taken by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration regarding the SIR-2026 programme in the Mumbai area.
A meeting with political parties regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 programme was held today (03 September 2026) at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters. The meeting was attended by Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lawangire; Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma; Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Shri Abhijit Bangar; Joint Commissioner (Assessment and Collection) Shri Vishwas Shankarwar; along with representatives of various political parties. The representatives of political parties were given detailed information about the ongoing process for Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR)-2026 through a computer presentation. Under this programme, several processes have already been completed, including door-to-door visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs); Distribution, collection and digitization of counting forms; publication of draft electoral roll; and rationalization of polling stations (with the approval of the Election Commission). Currently, claims and objections will be accepted from August 31 to September 30, 2026. Thereafter, claims and objections will be disposed of between August 31 and October 29, 2026, and the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 4, 2026. In this context, District Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that the administration is trying to complete the SIR-2026 process within the stipulated time through coordination of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Supervisors, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs). He urged political parties to cooperate with BLOs to reach out to voters, provide them with proper guidance, and submit the necessary documents for inclusion in the voter list. Bhide also appealed for cooperation to ensure that the entire process is carried out smoothly and properly.

Mumbai, Sep 3: Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday after the Maharashtra government’s pledge to make the state drug-free by 2029.

Terming the ambitious initiative a “hypocritical” and “event-driven spectacle”, the Thackeray camp, in an editorial in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, questioned why the ruling administration failed to curb the flourishing narcotics trade despite holding power for over a decade. ​

The Thackeray faction pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been at the helm in New Delhi since 2014, while Devendra Fadnavis has wielded significant authority in Maharashtra for roughly the same period. The party urged citizens to mark the 2029 deadline in their calendars and hold the current political leadership accountable when the timeline expires. ​

The editorial levelled grave allegations against the state administration, claiming that illicit drug trade networks, liquor manufacturers, and contraband suppliers operate under explicit political patronage.

Referring to past busts of illicit manufacturing units in Nashik, Pune, and Satara, the Shiv Sena(UBT) accused the state Home Department — headed by CM Fadnavis — of suppressing critical investigations into land allocations and chemical pill factories. ​

Describing the worsening law-and-order situation, the editorial warned that regions like Nashik and Pune are turning the state into an “Udta Maharashtra”. The editorial further condemned BJP leaders for allegedly mocking local citizens who took to the streets to protest against growing substance abuse.

​”The BJP is a hypocritical and publicity-obsessed party of the highest order,” the editorial stated. “Currently, all drug traffickers, alcohol manufacturers, cigar and cigarette vendors, and bhang-ganja sellers in Maharashtra are under the patronage of the BJP. The wheels of BJP’s politics run on this drug trade, yet these very people have set out to make Maharashtra ‘drug-free’,” it remarked.

Raising questions about the official definition of “intoxication”, the editorial highlighted that numerous sugar factory owners who produce alcohol “have taken refuge within the BJP’s ranks”. It questioned whether CM Fadnavis would dare to issue stern warnings to these “liquor barons” or attempt to reframe the classification of alcohol to dilute the campaign’s mandate. ​

The attack also extended beyond state borders, citing massive drug seizures at a Gujarat port originating from neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The editorial alleged that despite claims of high-level security, narcotics continue to flow unhindered into Maharashtra through these trade corridors. ​

Concluding its broadside, the Thackeray camp asserted that addiction in the state is not limited to illegal substances such as charas, ganja, and brown sugar. “Intoxication and drunkenness stem not just from substances, but also from corruption and money — and Maharashtra will have to be freed from that intoxication as well,” the editorial declared.