Violence Erupts During Court-Ordered Demolition Drive in Garib Nagar Near Bandra Railway Station; Over 1,000 Security Personnel Deployed

The five-day demolition drive, mandated by the Bombay High Court, targets approximately 500 unauthorised structures spread across 5,200 square metres of Western Railway land near Bandra East. The land, valued at around 600 crore rupees, is the subject of a large-scale clearance operation. Authorities confirmed that nearly 60 percent of the demolition work had been completed by the end of the second day of the drive.

More than 1,000 security personnel were deployed as tensions escalated sharply on the second day. While the operation began peacefully at 8 a.m., the situation deteriorated around 3 p.m. when demolition teams moved to remove an alleged illegal religious structure near the Bandra East skywalk, an area where a privately installed telecom tower was also reportedly present. This action triggered aggressive protests.

Protesters responded by hurling stones, utensils, and various objects at police and railway officials, prompting a baton charge by security forces. The confrontation resulted in injuries to at least 13 individuals, including both police personnel and protesters.

Six injured individuals were taken to Bhabha Hospital. Among them were police personnel Vipul Vijaykumar Kadam, aged 39, and Manish Bhimrao Bachhaw, aged 44, both of whom were discharged against medical advice. Protesters Vaibhav Gite, aged 25, Fizan Anwaj Khan, aged 22, and A. Rashid Khan, aged 17, received treatment and were discharged. One protester, Ansar Ali Baig, aged 49, remains admitted in stable condition.

Additionally, four police personnel were admitted to V. N. Desai Hospital. Jitendra Kumar Satender, aged 45, continues to remain under treatment, while Navnath Mudgul, aged 45, Omkar Koli, aged 39, and Chandrakant Dhamble, aged 45, were discharged against medical advice.

Following the unrest, Nirmal Nagar Police registered a First Information Report against the protesters for unlawful assembly, rioting, and assault on government officials. More than 10 individuals have been detained in connection with the incident.

The demolition has significantly disrupted daily life in one of Mumbai’s busiest transit corridors. Bus route 310 operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking, which originally starts from Bandra Terminus, has been temporarily rerouted to begin from the Bandra East bus depot.

Key routes and pedestrian foot overbridges in the vicinity remain blocked, resulting in major traffic congestion. Commuters travelling to Bandra Terminus have been forced to walk long distances with luggage after vehicles were halted or diverted at barricaded checkpoints.

Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek stated that the operation is being carried out strictly in accordance with directions issued by the Bombay High Court, prioritising safety and legal compliance. He added that the drive is being executed through coordinated protocols involving railway authorities, civil administration, and police forces, ensuring that eligible structures identified in earlier surveys remain protected while unauthorised encroachments are removed.

The demolition has also drawn strong political reactions. Congress leader Husain Dalwai questioned whether a proper survey had been conducted before the operation, noting that the court had mandated a survey-first approach. Samajwadi Party state president and Member of Legislative Assembly Abu Azmi called for a reassessment of the drive, stating that citizens without shelter are compelled to build wherever they can. He added that a responsible government must ensure housing for all citizens and argued that demolition-centric governance practices originating in Uttar Pradesh should be completely discontinued.

The situation continues to remain tense as authorities maintain a heavy security presence and the court-monitored operation progresses amid legal directives, public resistance, and political controversy.