October 21, 2025: The Bombay High Court has ruled that washermen at South Mumbai’s iconic Dhobi Ghat near Jacob Circle cannot obstruct the ongoing Slum Rehabilitation (SR) project when an alternate site has already been offered to them. The court observed while dismissing a plea filed by the rassi-holders—individuals who use the area to insert ropes for drying washed clothes.
The division bench noted that the petitioners were only using the land for rope installation and did not have any residential or commercial structures. “They were using the land only for inserting ropes and were not enjoying occupation of any residential or commercial structure,” the court stated, adding that such use does not confer any legal right to occupy or claim ownership over the land.
Emphasizing that the redevelopment project cannot be stalled on such grounds, the court said the washermen “cannot cause any hurdle” to the project’s progress. It further directed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is free to take necessary steps to ensure the smooth continuation of the redevelopment work.
The verdict paves the way for unhindered progress of the Dhobi Ghat Slum Redevelopment Project, which aims to upgrade living and working conditions in the historic laundry hub.
Source: The Indian Express
