8 hrs ago
Church Demolished In Kalewadi Amid Dispute Over Court Stay
A church in Kalewadi was knocked down during a nighttime government operation.
Church members said a court had temporarily stopped the demolition and that a hearing was planned for the next day.
They also said they were not warned in advance.
Members claimed officials and police pushed them away and stopped them from filming.
They said some church belongings were left behind and damaged.
The municipal corporation said the church was part of a larger action against buildings it considered unauthorised.
It said about 7,400 square feet of structures were removed.
The two sides disagree about whether the demolition followed the court order and proper civic procedures.
Officials had not provided a detailed response when contacted.
A church in Tapkir Mala, Kalewadi, was demolished during a late-night civic operation on Sunday, September 7.
Church members said the demolition occurred despite a court stay and hours before a scheduled Monday hearing.
Members alleged they received no prior notice and were prevented from recording the demolition or removing belongings.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation said it demolished about 7,400 square feet of unauthorised structures in Rajwade Nagar.
PCMC said the operation involved police protection, 11 Poclains, five JCBs, 25 manual workers, fire tenders and an ambulance.
- Who
- The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation carried out the demolition; church members, including Rose and Sam, questioned the action.
- What
- A church and other structures were demolished in a civic drive against alleged unauthorised construction.
- Where
- Tapkir Mala and Rajwade Nagar in Kalewadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- When
- The operation took place late on Sunday, September 7, before a court hearing scheduled for Monday; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- PCMC said the structures were unauthorised, while church members said the demolition violated a court stay and occurred without adequate notice.
Church Members' Claims
PCMC's Position
Court stay and timing
Church Members' Claims
Members said a stay order applied to the structure and that demolition occurred hours before a Monday hearing.
PCMC's Position
PCMC described the action as a drive against unauthorised construction but did not specify the court proceedings or order involved.
Notice and treatment of members
Church Members' Claims
Members alleged they received no 24-hour or 48-hour notice, were pushed away, and were stopped from photographing or recording the demolition.
PCMC's Position
PCMC's statement focused on the operation's staffing, equipment and police protection and did not address these allegations.
Selective enforcement
Church Members' Claims
Members questioned why the church was targeted when they said other unauthorised structures remained nearby.
PCMC's Position
PCMC said it demolished structures covering about 7,400 square feet in a broader action in Rajwade Nagar, rather than explaining the treatment of individual nearby buildings.
Key facts
- Location
- Tapkir Mala and Rajwade Nagar, Kalewadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad
- Demolition date
- Sunday, September 7; year not specified
- Structures removed
- Approximately 7,400 square feet of alleged unauthorised structures
- Church members' claim
- A court stay was in place and a hearing was scheduled for Monday
- PCMC equipment
- 11 Poclains, five JCBs and 25 manual workers
- Security deployment
- Nearly 55 Maharashtra Security Force personnel, along with police personnel
- Emergency arrangements
- 12 fire tenders and an ambulance were kept on standby
Quotes
Rose
A church member who said she had belonged to the church for around 10 years.
“If this is an illegal construction, there are many other buildings around the church. Why are those not illegal constructions?”
freepressjournal.in
“We had a stay order. The hearing was on Monday. Whatever the court says, we will cooperate.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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