Quick Summary: The Bombay High Court has stopped the tearing down of buildings in Rakhmabai Mhatre Chawl, Mulund (East), Mumbai. The people living there have been residents for many years, and the court found the warnings against them unfair.
In 2025, several residents, including Anita Ashok Mapuskar and Pushpalata Pandurang Ale, received warnings from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. These warnings, dated March 15, 2025, claimed that their homes were built without proper permission under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. The residents quickly challenged these warnings.
The residents argued that their homes have been there since before 1962. They showed proof like ration cards, tax bills, and electricity bills dating back to the 1980s. This documentation proved their long-standing residence in the chawl, built by the Mhatre family.
Judge Milind N. Jadhav heard the case on December 15, 2025, and announced the decision on January 5, 2026. The court found the warnings by the Municipal Corporation unclear and without proper reasoning. The judge noted:
"The unclear notice is as vague as it can be and thoroughly insufficient on the face of record."
Rakhmabai Mhatre Chawl has been home to many since the late 1950s. In 2013, the property was sold to M/s. Indu Enterprise, but the tenants' rights were supposed to be protected. The chawl's tenants were included in the sale agreement, confirming their right to stay.
The court highlighted that the warnings seemed to be influenced by the landlord's interests rather than legal reasons. The judge pointed out:
"The unclear action of the Corporation on the face of record appears to be dishonest."
The court canceled the warnings and protected the residents from being forced out until the case is fully resolved. This decision is a relief for the residents, ensuring they stay in their homes while the legal process continues.
With the court's decision, the residents of Rakhmabai Mhatre Chawl can breathe easy, at least for now. The case highlights the importance of fair treatment and due process, especially for long-standing residents.
