The Palghar District Court has upheld the Revenue Department’s action against an unauthorised commercial complex near Boisar railway station, clearing the way for the demolition of 54 illegal shops built without planning approval.
In an order dated July 23, District Judge A. R. Rahane dismissed the landowners’ appeal and ruled that the construction violated provisions of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. The court held that the demolition proceedings initiated by Boisar Tehsildar Ramesh Shendge under Sections 52, 53 and 54 of the Act were legally valid.
The dispute pertains to a 988-square-metre commercial shed spread across nearly 21 gunthas of land near Boisar railway station. According to the administration, the structure comprises 54 commercial units built using metal sheets and iron frames, which were allegedly rented out without statutory approvals, causing planning violations and loss of government revenue.
The landowners had challenged the Tehsildar’s February 3 demolition order, claiming that their application for regularisation was pending before the District Collector. The court, however, observed that the Collector had already rejected the plea on December 10, 2025.
It further held that the Gram Panchayat’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) did not legitimise the construction, as mandatory permission from the District Collector for non-agricultural land conversion had never been obtained. The court also vacated the interim stay on demolition.
The action forms part of Palghar district’s anti-encroachment drive, launched under the directions of District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar to remove illegal structures from government, grazing and tribal lands.
Tehsildar Ramesh Shendge said the demolition will be carried out after the ongoing panchnama process in flood-affected areas is completed.
Source: The Free Press Journal
