Summary: Arvind Mehta's fight to stay in his temporary home in Mumbai's slum redevelopment project hits a wall. The High Court supports the eviction orders, requiring Mehta to leave for the greater good of the redevelopment plan.
Arvind Pravinkumar Mehta filed a formal complaint against the Apex Grievance Redressal Committee (AGRC) in the Bombay High Court. The issue is about his refusal to leave a temporary structure in a slum redevelopment project in Malad, Mumbai. Judge Firdosh P. Pooniwalla heard the case, with the final decision made on January 19, 2026.
Mehta's main argument was based on an agreement from January 27, 2016. He claimed he was promised a shop in a new building facing Khotkuwa Road. However, the new developer, appointed in February 2023, had different plans. Even though new plans were approved in May 2023, Mehta held onto his temporary structure, saying promises were not kept.
"Arvind Mehta was ready to leave if he was given a permanent place facing Khotkuwa Road."
The redevelopment project faced delays because Mehta and others did not leave their temporary structures. This caused problems with getting necessary safety and occupancy approvals. On January 1, 2025, an order demanded eviction to move forward with the project.
Mehta appealed to the AGRC, which was dismissed on May 6, 2025. The AGRC upheld the eviction order, stating that the temporary structures were blocking progress and causing inconvenience to other slum dwellers waiting for their new homes.
"The Order dated 1st January 2025 did not suffer from any obvious mistakes or unlawful actions."
The High Court agreed with the AGRC, emphasizing that the eviction was necessary for the greater good. The court noted that Arvind Mehta could not block the redevelopment plan and should vacate his temporary structure. However, he was free to pursue other legal options regarding his promised accommodation.
Although the court dismissed Mehta's complaint, it allowed him to seek further legal options for his grievances about the promised road-facing commercial space. But for now, he must vacate to let the redevelopment project proceed.
"Arvind Mehta cannot resist eviction on the ground that he is entitled to be allotted commercial premises facing Khotkuwa Road."
The court decided that Arvind Mehta must leave his temporary structure to allow the redevelopment project to continue. However, he can still pursue other legal actions regarding the promised commercial space.
