1 week ago
BMC Demolishes Alleged Illegal Alterations at Mumbai's Rustomjee Crown
Mumbai's civic authority, the BMC, is removing building changes it says may be unauthorised.
The work is happening at a luxury apartment project called Rustomjee Crown.
An activist complained that some residents had added shared spaces near lifts to their private homes.
The spaces allegedly included lift lobbies, kitchen ducts and ventilation shafts.
The complaint concerned 128 flats.
The BMC said it gave affected residents a chance to be heard before ordering removals.
Workers began demolition on August 24, 2026, with police security.
Reports disagree about whether three or eight flats were affected on the first day.
Reports also differ on whether 128 or 138 notices were issued.
The work is expected to continue for several days.
The BMC began removing alleged unauthorised alterations at Rustomjee Crown in Prabhadevi on August 24, 2026.
The action followed RTI activist Santosh Daundkar's complaint that residents had incorporated common lift areas into their flats.
The disputed alterations allegedly included enclosed lobbies, kitchen ducts and ventilation-shaft spaces.
Reports differ on the first-day scope, citing demolitions in either three flats or eight B-Wing flats.
The BMC reportedly issued 128 notices, while another account cited 138 notices for Wings A and B.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation acted after a complaint by RTI activist Santosh Daundkar; flats linked to politicians, bureaucrats and businesspeople are under scrutiny.
- What
- The BMC began demolishing alleged unauthorised alterations involving common areas incorporated into apartments.
- Where
- Rustomjee Crown, Crown Mill Compound, Prabhadevi, Mumbai.
- When
- The complaint was filed in November 2025, notices were reported in March 2026, and demolition began on August 24, 2026.
- Why
- The complaint alleged that residents had enclosed shared lift lobbies and other common or open spaces as part of their flats.
Civic Enforcement
Questions and Concerns
Legality of alterations
Civic Enforcement
The BMC is proceeding against structures it considers unauthorised and says the removals followed notices, hearings and legal orders.
Questions and Concerns
The complaint and activist accounts allege that residents occupied common areas, while activist-advocate YP Singh said the developments warranted further investigation.
Timing of action
Civic Enforcement
The BMC said it initiated demolition after following the prescribed legal process and that work would continue over several days.
Questions and Concerns
Santosh Daundkar reportedly claimed that more than 100 notices had been issued in July 2025 but that no action was taken at that time.
Scope of first-day demolition
Civic Enforcement
BMC-related accounts described demolition in three flats on the first day.
Questions and Concerns
A Hindustan Times account reported that unauthorised additions were demolished in eight B-Wing flats, creating a discrepancy in reported figures.
Key facts
- Project
- Rustomjee Crown, a luxury residential complex in Prabhadevi's Crown Mill Compound
- Flats under scrutiny
- 128 flats were identified in the complaint and related reports
- Notices
- Reports cite either 128 notices or 138 notices for flats in Wings A and B
- First-day demolition
- Reports differ, describing action in three flats or eight B-Wing flats
- Alleged alterations
- Common lift lobbies, kitchen ducts and ventilation-shaft spaces were allegedly incorporated into apartments
- Estimated disputed value
- The allegedly encroached spaces were reported to be worth more than Rs 250 crore overall
- Reported property prices
- Prices in the affected section reportedly exceed Rs 1 lakh per square foot
- Legal process
- The BMC said affected parties were heard and speaking orders were passed in applicable cases
Quotes
A BMC official
Civic official describing notices issued over alleged construction and FSI violations.
“After following due process and giving the concerned parties an opportunity to be heard, the civic body passed Speaking Orders in applicable cases. Demolition action was subsequently carried out in three flats on Monday, where unauthorised alterations included enclosing and merging the common lobby with the flat area, as well as incorporating kitchen ducts and ventilation shaft spaces. The alterations were removed in accordance with the Speaking Orders and after following the prescribed legalT?”
freepressjournal.in
“Following complaints of unauthorised construction and FSI violations, the BMC issued 138 notices to flats in Wings A and B under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888 and the MRTP Act, 1966.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Demolition Begins At Mumbai's Rustomjee Crown, 128 Luxury Flats Face Action
BMC Demolishes Unauthorised Structures at Mumbai’s Rustomjee Crown, 128 Luxury Flats Under Scanner
Rustomjee Crown: BMC demolishes illegal alterations in flats linked to politicians; 128 flats under notice
Mumbai: BMC Demolishes Unauthorised Alterations In 3 Rustomjee Crown Flats Over Common Area Encroachment
BMC Storms Mumbai's Posh High-Rise Flats, Demolishes Unauthorised Alterations
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