October 28, 2025: The Maharashtra Law and Judiciary Department has approved the demolition and reconstruction of the ageing Mulund court building, paving the way for a modern 12-storey judicial complex with a two-level basement. The project, estimated at Rs 86.97 crore, will replace the 1945-built structure—one of the oldest court buildings in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs—located near Mulund College of Commerce.
The new complex will feature upgraded courtrooms, administrative offices, a vulnerable witness deposition centre, and a Lok Adalat facility, ensuring a safer and more efficient working environment. The existing building, which caters to multiple police stations in the region, had deteriorated significantly over the decades, with incidents of falling ceiling slabs and structural instability raising safety concerns.
The decision follows a prolonged legal process triggered by a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Santosh Dubey, who highlighted the dangerous state of the building. The Bombay High Court had earlier remarked that while redevelopment proposals were initiated in 2013, “nothing concrete had progressed so far.” Referring to the Technical Audit Report, the division bench of then Chief Justices DK Upadhyaya and Arif Doctor observed that the existing structure was “techno-economically unfeasible” and urged the state to expedite reconstruction.
Local MLA Mihir Kotecha, who had written to the government last year urging immediate reconstruction, welcomed the approval. “Over 500 government employees work here, and more than 1,000 citizens visit daily for court and revenue-related matters. The chief minister had personally intervened in May to clear pending formalities. I’m happy that this 25-year-old issue has finally been resolved, and Mulund will soon have a new, state-of-the-art court,” he said.
Once completed, the new facility will stand as a major judicial and civic landmark in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.
