The Bombay High Court has taken a firm stance against illegal constructions in Thane, warning of the grave impact these structures pose to the city’s infrastructure and rule of law. The court’s directives came after it reviewed cases involving 17 buildings constructed without permission on private land reserved for green zones, violating planning, environmental, and municipal laws.
The Bombay High Court has underscored the serious consequences of illegal constructions on the city’s limited infrastructure and essential public resources, ruling that the rights of occupants of unauthorized structures cannot be recognized under any circumstance. The observations were made while hearing a 2024 petition filed by Rahul Chandrakant Pawar challenging the construction of an unauthorized building at Vartak Nagar, Thane (West).
The Bench, comprising Justice G.S. Kulkarni and Justice Manjusha Deshpande, emphasized that resources such as water, electricity, and common amenities like parks and playgrounds are meant exclusively for residents of legally sanctioned buildings within planned layouts. “The unauthorised use of such critical resources undermines the collective rights of legitimate residents,” the court noted on August 21, 2025.
The Bench expressed alarm over the recurrence of illegal construction on the same plot, recalling a 2009 PIL in which the High Court had ordered the demolition of a ground-plus-five-floor building on the property. It is deeply concerning how a similar construction was undertaken again in 2017-18, and which officials allowed such blatant violations, the Court remarked.
The Court directed the ward-wise vigilance committee to adopt a proactive approach to prevent, detect, and act against all forms of unauthorized construction without delay. It cautioned that failure to enforce timely measures could render the situation irreversible, warning that such inaction threatens the orderly growth of the city. Illegality must be nipped in the bud to safeguard lawful urban development, the Court observed.
Taking a serious view of the large-scale illegality, the HC had ordered the Commissioner to survey “all such illegal constructions in the different wards and more particularly in the developing areas of Thane,” with special attention to green belts and no-development zones. Any discovery of unlawful buildings must be “immediately attended and removed in accordance with law.”
The Bombay High Court’s recent judgment emphasizes the importance of adhering to urban planning laws, upholding the rule of law, and preventing unauthorized constructions. By directing the demolition of illegal buildings in Thane and ordering an inquiry into municipal officers’ roles, the court sends a strong message against corruption and illegality in construction activities.
