Mumbai’s historic Crime Branch building near Crawford Market has been demolished after being declared structurally unsafe. Built in 1909, the British-era stone structure served as the city’s hub for high-profile investigations, including interrogations of 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, Sanjay Dutt in the 1993 blasts case, underworld figures like Chhota Rajan and Abu Salem, and Charles Sobhraj.
Officials said the building’s stones and teakwood elements will be preserved and reused to create a fortress-style memorial at the Naigaon Police Parade Ground, keeping its legacy alive.
The structure had deteriorated over decades, and a structural audit recommended demolition. Although not officially listed as a heritage site, it held historical and architectural value and was home to senior Crime Branch officers and specialised units.
Demolition began on 27 November 2025 and has now been completed. The move has drawn emotional responses from serving and retired officers, many visiting the site for a final glimpse and sharing memories of the iconic building on social media.
