Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 21: The Bombay High Court has constituted a three-member committee to address a land dispute at Danda Koliwada, Khar West, where a slum rehabilitation scheme is underway on land partially used by the Koli community for drying fish and nets.

Justices Girish Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe directed the additional principal secretary of the urban development department, the collector (suburbs), and the CEO of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority to hear both parties and, if needed, conduct a fresh demarcation of the land, taking into account the traditional rights of the petitioners.

The judges emphasized that since the land belongs to the state, it is the government’s responsibility to resolve such conflicts and ensure clarity regarding its use.

The dispute arose when two Koli societies approached the High Court, objecting to encroachment by a slum redevelopment project developed by Hanuman Nagar Shubh Shanti CHSL and Jasani Realty Pvt Ltd on land reserved for fish drying. Senior advocate Gayatri Singh stated that approximately 1,500 sq m of the fish-drying area was encroached, with demarcation either not done or carried out without notice to her clients.

The court noted that the matter concerns demarcation and whether the petitioners’ traditional rights are affected by the slum redevelopment. The committee has been asked to meet the parties, conduct a site visit, and pass orders that protect the rights of both sides within 10 days.

Until the committee finalizes its decision, no coercive action can be taken on the land used by the petitioners. The High Court has also maintained a status quo and set January 10 as the deadline for the committee’s decision, allowing the petitioners ten days to respond if any adverse order is issued. The petitioners may revive their case if necessary.