October 22, 2025: The Bombay High Court has allowed the redevelopment of land near Dhobi Ghat, ruling that washermen and rassi holders cannot block the project despite their historical use of the area. A division bench of Justice Girish S. Kulkarni and Justice Aarti A. Sathe dismissed a petition filed by the group, which opposed a Slum Rehabilitation (SR) project at the site near Jacob Circle in South Mumbai.
The court observed, “Any right in respect of such use of the land is only for the purpose of inserting the ropes. It is not the case that the petitioners are enjoying any occupation of any residential or commercial structure.” The judges noted that the rassi holders’ activity of using ropes to dry clothes does not constitute legal possession or occupation and, therefore, cannot obstruct redevelopment by Resonant Realtors Projects Pvt. Ltd., formerly Omkar Realtors.
The bench also highlighted that an alternate drying site has been offered to the rassi holders, with some petitioners reaching an amicable settlement. Under the arrangement, they will receive transit rent for five years and assistance in relocating to the alternate site during this period. The court accepted this as a fair resolution.
The dispute centered on over 28,000 square metres belonging to the proposed Saibaba Nagar SRA Co-operative Housing Society, including 7,000 square metres designated for drying clothes. Petitioners argued that the area had been wrongfully merged into the redevelopment plan, threatening their traditional livelihood. The court, however, clarified that limited use for rope-holding does not equate to lawful occupation, stating, “Such limited use cannot be equated with lawful occupation.”
With compensation and alternate arrangements in place, the High Court’s order clears the way for the BMC and the developer to proceed. The ruling underscores Mumbai’s ongoing challenge of balancing urban renewal with preservation of traditional occupations and may set a precedent for similar redevelopment disputes in the city.
Source: Realty Plus
