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Bombay HC Orders Police Chief’s Personal Reply, Slams Inaction Over 2016 Midnight Razing of Ambedkar Press

The bench pressed the BMC to explain overnight demolition practices.

Overview

  • The Bombay High Court, in an April 30 order, told the Mumbai Police Commissioner to file a personal affidavit within six weeks.
  • The judges called a zonal ACP’s April 28 affidavit “thoughtless” and said police showed evident inaction during the demolition.
  • The court told the Commissioner to name the Bhoiwada officers on duty that night and to state whether police intelligence warned of a 400–500 person crowd.
  • The bench asked the BMC Commissioner to say if any permission was sought or granted and whether Mumbai has ever allowed demolitions between midnight and 6 a.m.
  • Petitions allege six trustees used a false audit to prompt a BMC notice and led a large group that destroyed machines and papers linked to Ambedkar, with the case next listed for June 15.