Mumbai witnessed another high-profile anti-encroachment operation on June 2 as authorities initiated demolition proceedings against the Hazrat Syed Barkat Ali Shah Pir Baba Dargah located in Aarey Colony. The action comes amid an escalating legal and political dispute over the status of the structure, which officials claim has been built on government land within one of the city’s most environmentally sensitive zones.
The operation was carried out under heavy police deployment, reflecting concerns over possible law-and-order challenges. The heightened security arrangements follow the violent incidents witnessed during a recent anti-encroachment drive in Mumbai’s Bandra East area, where clashes broke out between protesters and police personnel.
Officials associated with the Dairy Development Department and other civic agencies have maintained that the dargah forms part of a much larger unauthorised occupation spread across nearly 70,000 square feet of government-owned land in Aarey Colony. Authorities contend that the structure lacks legal sanction and stands in violation of land-use regulations governing the protected green belt.
Aarey Colony and its Environmental Significance
The controversy assumes significance because the disputed land lies within Aarey Colony, a vast green expanse often described as the ecological lung of Mumbai. The area is widely regarded as an extension of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and has been at the centre of several environmental battles over the years.
Environmental activists and government agencies have repeatedly stressed the need to preserve Aarey’s forest cover and biodiversity. Various judicial interventions and environmental regulations have sought to prevent unauthorised development in the region.
Land JIHAD…… ilegal DARGAH of Aarey Colony Mumbai Demolished today l.
I had visited & filed complaint on 9 April 2026 pic.twitter.com/rhNIDQ5ny2
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) June 2, 2026
According to officials, any illegal construction within this zone not only violates land laws but may also undermine environmental protection measures intended to safeguard the city’s fragile ecosystem. Authorities argue that permitting such encroachments could set a precedent that threatens protected forest and green areas across the metropolis.
Complaint by BJP Leader Kirit Somaiya Triggered Scrutiny
The issue gained momentum after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya submitted a formal complaint to civic authorities alleging that attempts were being made to claim ownership of government land through religious institutions.
Somaiya argued that official land records do not support claims that the disputed property belongs to any religious trust. Referring to revenue documents, he stated that historical records showed agricultural use of the land and that subsequent entries reflected government ownership.
According to the complaint, the 7/12 land records indicate that the land was previously registered under private ownership for agricultural purposes. However, from 2022 onward, the property came to be recorded in the name of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park administration.
Somaiya further alleged that individuals linked to what he described as a “land mafia” were attempting to secure control over the property through unlawful means. He cited reports from local administrative authorities, forest officials, revenue department personnel, and tehsildar-level offices which, according to him, pointed to illegal construction activities, including the erection of boundary walls and other structures on the disputed land.
Notices Issued, Authorities Say No Valid Documents Produced
Officials involved in the case claim that multiple notices were issued to the concerned parties seeking clarification regarding ownership and authorisation of the structure.
Authorities maintain that despite repeated opportunities, no valid documentary evidence establishing legal ownership or permission for construction was submitted. Civic officials state that the notices remained largely unanswered, prompting the administration to move forward with enforcement measures.
Following the alleged failure to comply with legal directives, authorities approved demolition proceedings. Heavy machinery was deployed to the site while police personnel established a security perimeter to prevent disruptions.
Officials insist that the action is based solely on land and environmental regulations and is not directed against any religious community.
Dargah Supporters Reject Encroachment Allegations
Supporters of the Hazrat Syed Barkat Ali Shah Pir Baba Dargah have strongly contested the government’s position.
Local residents and members of the Muslim community argue that the shrine has existed for several decades and constitutes an important religious and cultural landmark. They claim that the site has long served as a place of worship and holds deep historical significance for devotees.
According to those opposing the demolition, the structure’s longstanding presence should be taken into account before any coercive action is undertaken. They contend that the matter involves not merely land ownership questions but also issues related to heritage, faith, and community identity.
As a result, what began as an alleged encroachment dispute has evolved into a broader debate involving environmental conservation, land rights, religious sensitivities, and urban governance.
Second Major Anti-Encroachment Controversy in Two Weeks
The Aarey demolition drive marks the second major anti-encroachment action in Mumbai within a fortnight.
On May 20, authorities carried out a demolition operation in the Garib Nagar area of Bandra East. The exercise was aimed at removing allegedly unauthorised structures but soon descended into violence.
Tensions escalated when groups of protesters confronted police personnel deployed at the site. Several videos circulated on social media showing stone-pelting incidents and clashes. In response, police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse crowds and restore order.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Action is being taken against an alleged illegal dargah in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony over encroachment on government land. BMC and police initiated proceedings after notices were ignored and no valid documents were submitted. Authorities say a trust had… pic.twitter.com/M3gmt9e1xP
— IANS (@ians_india) June 2, 2026
The incident led to the registration of criminal cases by the Nirmal Nagar Police Station. An FIR was lodged against ten identified individuals along with several unidentified persons under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws. Approximately fifteen individuals were subsequently arrested.
The unrest in Bandra has heightened concerns among authorities regarding potential resistance during future anti-encroachment operations, explaining the extensive security arrangements witnessed at the Aarey site.
Land, Environment and Politics Converge
The Aarey dargah controversy has become a focal point of competing narratives. On one side, government agencies and civic authorities maintain that the demolition is a necessary step to remove illegal encroachments from environmentally protected government land. On the other, supporters of the shrine argue that the structure represents a long-standing place of worship with historical roots in the area.
With legal questions regarding ownership records, environmental concerns related to Aarey’s protected status, and political interventions from multiple quarters, the dispute is likely to remain under public scrutiny in the coming weeks.
