As part of the ongoing drive against illegal encroachments, authorities on Tuesday demolished the Hazara Sayyad Barkat Ali Shah Peer Baba Dargah in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony, citing the absence of documents establishing the structure’s legality.
The demolition was carried out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with assistance from the Mumbai Police after notices issued by the authorities reportedly went unanswered and no valid documentation was submitted.
Aarey Colony, a government-owned dairy development project, is home to buffalo stables, grazing lands and large green spaces. The area has often been at the centre of environmental and developmental debates, particularly during the controversy surrounding the Metro car shed project between 2019 and 2020. It is widely regarded as one of Mumbai’s major green zones.
According to officials, the dargah was located approximately 400 metres from the Aarey Police Station. Authorities said the structure had previously been demolished in 2017 and 2018 but was later reconstructed and expanded.
The issue gained political attention earlier this year when BJP leader Kirit Somaiya visited the site and demanded the removal of the structure, arguing that the government land should be restored to its original purpose.
Officials said notices had been issued to the dargah management, providing an opportunity to submit documents supporting the structure’s legal status. However, according to the authorities, no such documents were furnished within the stipulated period.
A heavy police bandobast was deployed at the site to prevent any law-and-order issues during the operation. In addition to personnel from the Aarey Police Station, extra police forces and riot control units were stationed in the area as a precautionary measure.
No untoward incidents were reported during the demolition drive.
