BMC begins demolition of alleged unauthorised alterations at Rustomjee Crown in Mumbai

Mumbai, August 25, 2026: The BMC's crackdown on unauthorised alterations at Rustomjee Crown, a three-basements-plus-63-floors high-rise luxury residential complex at Crown Mill Compound in Prabhadevi, continued for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. On Monday, demolition of encroached areas of flats in B wing was undertaken and on Tuesday, demolition was under way on the 23rd and 38th floors of A wing, sources said.BMC Issues NoticesIt was after complaints of unauthorised construction and FSI violations, followed by notices by the BMC to the owner/occupier under Section 53 (1) of the MRTP Act, that the civic body started the demolition of encroached areas. "A total of 138 notices have been issued to the owner over the last six months. The other party was given sufficient time and hearings to present their side and all Supreme Court guidelines were followed before starting the demolition action of unauthorised areas," said a senior BMC officer.Rustomjee crown tower at PrabhadeviThe unauthorised alterations in the building include encroachments like merging of the common lobby into the habitable area of the flat, which are not in the BMC's approved plan. The BMC's speaking order dated 10/3/2026 to the owner/occupier of the respective flats of A and B wings of Rustomjee Crown, where unauthorised alterations were made, states that a notice was served under the MRTP Act on 24/7/2025 directing the noticee to submit the approvals within 30 days and, further, a personal hearing was also held on 25/2/2026, when the owner/occupier was directed to get the said work regularised or restore it. However, in the second inspection by the civic officials, it was observed that the notice requisitions were not complied with, the speaking order adds.Nine Alterations RemovedAs per the BMC statement issued on Tuesday night, in the two-day action, nine unauthorised constructions/alterations were removed. The unauthorised alterations included a common lobby illegally enclosed using wooden materials and lightweight Siporex bricks and merged into the habitable area of the flat, a portion of the kitchen duct illegally enclosed using M.S. plates and merged into the kitchen area, part of the ventilation shaft included in the flat area using M.S. plate and used as a storeroom, part of the powder room included in the kitchen area and others.Developer Denies ViolationsClarifying on the demolition action by the BMC, a company spokesperson, Rustomjee Group, said, "The construction was undertaken in accordance with the plans sanctioned and approved by the competent authorities as per 1991 DCR. It complies with all the necessary norms and regulations and has received Occupation Certificate about two years ago. There are no violations on part of the developer. We have been fully cooperating with the authorities and have provided all necessary details and information sought by them. We have also been engaging with the members of the building and encouraging them to undertake the necessary corrective measures, wherever required."Meanwhile, activist Santosh Daundkar, who had filed a complaint under 'Public Grievances' to Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) on November 17, 2025, alleged that a blind eye was turned by DMC Zone II, Chief Engineer DP and Chief Fire Officer to open violations brought to their notice about unauthorised encroachment carried out of the common lobby area into a habitable room at Rustomjee Crown (Phase I), Prabhadevi, and has demanded an investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the financial transactions associated with this project and wrongdoings in the project.Also Watch: Mumbai: BMC Demolishes Unauthorised Alterations In 3 Rustomjee Crown Flats Over Common Area Encroachment"The luxury towers have been constructed on land meant for mill workers, and that several public representatives and other individuals have acquired properties in the project. The flats in this project are reportedly valued at crores of rupees and considering the scale and value of the transactions, there is a strong suspicion that financial transactions exceeding 250 crore, including possible unaccounted or non-transparent transactions, may have taken place in connection with the project. Appropriate legal action should be taken against anyone found responsible for wrongdoing," Daundkar said.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

BMC's demolition of unauthorised structures in Rustomjee Crown saw involvement from notable people like Minister Sanjay Rathod. Over 100 notices were issued by the G-South ward officer, but immediate action was missing. Civic activist urges further inquiry into the alleged encroachments.

BMC has begun demolition action against alleged unauthorised constructions at Mumbai's Rustomjee Crown, with 128 flats under scrutiny.

Mumbai, August 24, 2026: The BMC has launched a major crackdown on alleged unauthorised alterations at Rustomjee Crown, located in a luxury residential complex at Crown Mill Compound at Prabhadevi. The action has drawn considerable attention as several flats under scrutiny are reportedly linked to politicians, bureaucrats and prominent businesspersons, putting the high-profile project firmly under the civic scanner.Complaint Over Common AreasThe BMC action is in response to a complaint filed by RTI activist Santosh Daundkar in November 2025 alleging that owners of 128 flats at Rustomjee Crown had encroached upon common areas around the lifts and incorporated the shared spaces into their apartments. Following the complaint, the G-South ward’s Assistant Engineer (Building and Factory) department issued notices to all flats under Section 354A of the MMC Act and Section 53(1) of the MRTP Act for alleged unauthorised construction at the Prabhadevi project in March 2026.BMC Orders ActionActing on the complaint, the BMC’s G-South ward ordered action against the alleged unauthorised structures. The disputed common areas are estimated to have a market value of over Rs 250 crore, with property prices in the affected section reportedly exceeding Rs 1 lakh per sq ft. The building comprises three basements, a ground floor and 63 upper floors, with residential Wings A, B and C located from the 14th to the 63rd floors. Wings A and B have 186 flats each and have received Occupation Certificates. "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," said an official.Also Watch: Mumbai: BMC Seeks 216-Day Extension For Mulund Dumping Ground Biomining, ₹55.86 Crore Additional WorkHe further added that, "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 legal procedure," he added. However, Swapnaja Kshirsagar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of G South ward, did not respond to the call from a Free Press Journal reporter.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

The action covers 128 flats at the project in the Crown Mill Compound. Several of the flats are reportedly linked to Maharashtra politicians, bureaucrats and prominent businesspeople.

The action covers 128 flats at the project in the Crown Mill Compound. Several of the flats are reportedly linked to Maharashtra politicians, bureaucrats and prominent businesspeople.

BMC has begun demolition action against alleged unauthorised constructions at Mumbai's Rustomjee Crown, with 128 flats under scrutiny.