Mumbai: The Supreme Court has taken strong action against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over its failure to remove encroachments from land earmarked for a BEST bus station in Borivali, Mumbai. The court has ordered the withholding of the BMC Commissioner’s salary and that of concerned officials until further orders, while initiating contempt proceedings over non-compliance with its earlier directions.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana issued a show-cause notice to the BMC Commissioner, asking why contempt action should not be initiated against him for failing to implement the court’s orders.
During Tuesday’s hearing on November 3, the bench expressed serious displeasure over the continued encroachments and questioned whether municipal officials were acting in collusion with those occupying the land illegally.
Chief Justice Surya Kant warned that officials could face imprisonment if they continued to disregard the court’s directions. The bench also rejected the BMC’s request for an additional 30 days to complete the process, making it clear that no further extension would be granted.
The court imposed costs of ₹5 lakh on the civic body and directed that salary payments to the Commissioner and concerned staff remain withheld until December 1, 2026, subject to compliance with its directions and further orders.
The bench also questioned the BMC’s explanation that Marathi documents needed to be translated into English before officials could proceed with the eviction process. Justice Bagchi observed that the officer who had submitted the affidavit was expected to understand Marathi.
Background of the Borivali Land Dispute
The case concerns approximately 3,400 square metres of land earmarked for a public BEST bus station in Borivali, which has remained entangled in a prolonged dispute involving the BMC and a private developer.
On August 13, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the private developer to hand over vacant and peaceful possession of the land, including an administrative building, to the BMC.
The civic body was given three months to take possession, remove the remaining encroachments in accordance with the law and make the bus station operational.
However, the failure to complete the process prompted further intervention by the Supreme Court. On November 13, 2025, the court directed the BMC Commissioner to submit a personal affidavit detailing the occupants, eviction notices and pending claims relating to the property.
With the civic administration still failing to demonstrate compliance, the Supreme Court has now initiated contempt proceedings, signalling that senior civic officials may face personal consequences for ignoring judicial directions.
