MUMBAI, March 25, 2026 – In a brazen display of bureaucratic overreach and utter disregard for the rule of law, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and local administration carried out an illegal demolition drive on March 11, 2026, at Maharashtra Nagar, Kalimata Temple Area, Bharat Nagar Road, Bandra (East), leaving 30 families destitute and stranded on the streets.
The affected settlement, bearing Cluster ID H/East – 104, now lies in rubble, while the families who once called it home are left to fend for themselves under the scorching sun, with the looming threat of pre-monsoon rains adding to their misery.
A DEMOLITION BUILT ON VIOLATIONS
The demolition, according to a detailed complaint filed by the Real Voice Foundation led by President Mr. S. M. Fanus, was not just heavy-handed but patently illegal on multiple counts. The complaint, submitted to Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde, lays bare a shocking litany of procedural and legal violations.
1. No Survey, No Action
Perhaps the most staggering revelation is that the demolition was carried out without conducting any survey of Cluster H/East – 104. As per the SRA Act and government norms, a survey is the foundational step to determine eligibility and establish the existence of a slum. Skipping this step renders the entire demolition null and void.
2. Government Resolutions Flouted
The administration conveniently ignored the mandatory provisions of Government Resolutions dated May 16, 2015, and May 16, 2018:
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The 2015 GR protects slum dwellers who have existed since before January 1, 2000. Affected families possess documents (ration cards, voter IDs, electricity bills) proving their existence from before this cut-off date.
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The 2018 GR provides for paid rehabilitation for families existing since before January 1, 2011.
Despite these clear provisions, officials conducted no document verification, no site inspection, and no computerized record preparation before swinging the bulldozers.
3. Denial of Natural Justice
The SRA had issued notices under Section 3(Z-2) of the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971. The affected residents filed their replies in a timely and proper manner. Yet, the authority conducted no hearing, issued no speaking order, and proceeded directly to demolition. This is a flagrant violation of the fundamental principle of Audi Alteram Partem – the right to be heard – repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court of India.
4. Documents Buried, Lives Destroyed
In the haste to demolish, residents were given virtually no time to salvage their belongings. Essential documents – ration cards, voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, educational certificates – now lie buried under the debris. This has rendered the victims incapable of even proving their eligibility, creating a Kafkaesque nightmare where they are punished for a crime they did not commit and then stripped of the means to defend themselves.
5. An Attack on Faith
Compounding the injustice, the demolition was carried out during the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection for the Muslim community. By forcing fasting families onto the streets during this sacred period, the administration has not only committed a legal wrong but has also hurt religious sentiments, displaying a shocking lack of basic human sensitivity.
THE HUMAN COST
The demolition has brought unimaginable suffering:
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Medical Emergency: Medicines of tuberculosis (TB) patients were buried in the debris, putting their lives at risk.
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Destruction of Public Assets: The local Kalimata Temple, a centuries-old place of worship, and a community gymnasium run by Real Voice Foundation for local youth were also razed.
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Current Plight: With no shelter, the affected families are living on the streets, lacking access to food, clean water, sanitation, and medical facilities. Women, children, and the elderly are the worst affected.
DEMANDS OF THE AFFECTED FAMILIES
The Real Voice Foundation, on behalf of the victims, has put forth the following five urgent demands:
| # | Demand |
|---|---|
| 1 | Immediate Temporary Accommodation – Transit camp or hall until eligibility is verified through the Competent Authority under the 2/4 application process. |
| 2 | Permanent Rehabilitation – As per government rules once eligibility is established. |
| 3 | Suspension & Inquiry – Immediate suspension of responsible SRA and local administration officers pending a thorough investigation. |
| 4 | Compensation – Adequate financial compensation for loss of belongings, documents, business materials, and damage to religious places. |
| 5 | FIR – Registration of criminal case against officials involved under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for illegal entry, housebreaking, causing mental distress, and obstruction of government work. |
📣 APPEAL TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT
A copy of the complaint has also been forwarded to local public representative Shri Varun Sardesai.
Mr. S. M. Fanus, President of Real Voice Foundation, stated:
“This is not just a demolition of structures; it is a demolition of people’s lives, their dignity, and their faith in the system. We have followed every legal procedure. We have the documents. Yet, we were treated like criminals. We urge the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to intervene immediately and ensure justice is served. We are looking at them as our last ray of hope.”
The affected families are now waiting for the state government to act. With the law on their side and the weight of Supreme Court judgments protecting the right to hearing and due process, they are determined to fight for their rights.
