Mumbai: BMC Demolishes Unauthorised Alterations In 3 Rustomjee Crown Flats Over Common Area Encroachment

Demolition Drive at Prabhadevi High-Rise

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has demolished unauthorised alterations in flats at Rustomjee Crown, a residential complex at Crown Mill Compound in Prabhadevi. The demolition, which took place over two days including actions on Monday, affected a total of nine flats, according to the Times of India.

The Free Press Journal reported that the action followed a complaint filed in November by RTI-Activist Santosh D Deshmukh, and that the BMC issued notices to all flats in Wings A and B under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act in March 2026.

Scale and Value of Alleged Encroachments

The two reports differ on the scale and specifics. The Times of India reported that demolition was carried out in nine flats over two days, but the Free Press Journal reported that three flats were demolished on a single day. Both outlets reported that the BMC had issued 138 notices to owners of flats in Wings A and B in the previous year.

The disputed common areas are estimated to have a market value of over Rs 250 crore, with property prices in the affected section exceeding Rs 1 lakh per square foot, according to the Free Press Journal. The building has three basements, a ground floor, and 63 upper floors, with residential Wings A, B, and C on the 14th to 63rd floors. The Free Press Journal added that Wings A and B have 186 flats each with occupation certificates.

The Times of India reported that the complaint by Santosh Daundkar outlined unauthorized additions and alterations, amalgamation of flats, misuse of free-FSI areas, and conversion of habitable areas. The complaint also alleged that common lobbies were merged into private space and kitchen ducts and ventilation shafts were converted into habit space beyond the sanctioned plan.

Official Response and Cost Recovery

According to the Free Press Journal, an official said that after due process and Speaking Orders, demolition in three flats on Monday involved enclosing common lobbies and merging kitchen ducts and ventilation shaft spaces into the flats. The official added that the BMC had issued 138 notices following complaints of unauthorized construction and FSI violations.

For the specific details of the demolition carried out in the nine flats, the official statistics were not confirmed, but the Times of India reported that the expenditure on the demolition will be recovered from the society or flat owners in charge of the unauthorised WiFi on the premises.

The Free Press Journal reported that Swapnil Kshirsagar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of G South ward, did not respond to call requesting comment, but made no comment on the process.

Notable Context

No perspectives section was deemed necessary in this article because the material available does not contain direct viewpoints from any named parties such as officials or residents, aside from the official's generic statement.