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The Bombay High Court has issued a significant environmental directive, ordering six district administrations in the Konkan region — Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Sindhudurg — to transfer 10,000 hectares of mangrove land to the Maharashtra Forest Department within two months . The order, passed by a division bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Sandesh Patil , came in response to a contempt petition filed by the Mumbai-based NGO Vanshakti in 2018 . The case underscores the persistent failure of local administrations to implement earlier court orders aimed at protecting the state’s vital mangrove ecosystems. Background of the Case The petition by Vanshakti , an environmental NGO, was filed after the state failed to comply with the Bombay High Court’s 2018 directions mandating the transfer of mangrove lands to the forest department’s mangrove cell for protection. According to Vanshakti, although 4,000 hectares of mangrove land ...

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court of India , challenging the Bombay High Court’s order that declared the arrest of former Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) chief Anilkumar Pawar as illegal and ordered his immediate release. The ED, through a Special Leave Petition (SLP) , has also sought a stay on the High Court’s order pending final adjudication. The plea is expected to be heard on Friday before the Supreme Court bench. High Court’s Findings: Arrest Declared Illegal and Arbitrary In a strongly worded order, the Bombay High Court bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad criticised the ED’s actions, terming the arrest “arbitrary, illegal and unsupported by evidence.” The court observed that the arrest violated Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 , as well as Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India , which guarantee equality before law, freedom of mov...

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the legality of continued toll collection from heavy vehicles entering Mumbai through five key entry points. The petition argues that the ongoing toll collection violates constitutional and statutory provisions and imposes an arbitrary financial burden on vehicle owners. Details of the PIL and Parties Involved The PIL, filed by advocate Pravin Wategaonkar , names the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) as respondents. The MSRDC manages major arterial roads in Mumbai and collects toll through contractors. Currently, only heavy vehicles entering Mumbai through five major entry points — Dahisar, LBS Road (Mulund), Eastern Express Highway (Mulund), Airoli Creek Bridge, and Vashi — are required to pay toll tax. Earlier, even light motor vehicles paid tolls ranging from ₹45 to ₹75. However, they were exempted from toll ...

 The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra to deposit ₹60 crore with the court registry if they wanted their plea to travel abroad to be considered. The direction came during the hearing of a petition filed by the couple challenging the look-out circulars (LOCs) issued against them by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police. EOW’s Look-Out Circular and the ₹60.48-Crore Cheating Case The case stems from a ₹60.48-crore cheating complaint linked to the couple’s now-defunct online retail venture, Best Deal TV Pvt. Ltd. The EOW had issued look-out circulars on September 5, 2025 , preventing Shetty and Kundra from leaving India while the investigation was ongoing. The LOCs were based on a complaint filed by Deepak Kothari , a city-based businessman and director of Lotus Capital Financial Services , who alleged that Shetty and Kundra had diverted investor funds for personal use between 2015 an...

Background: The Passing of the Last Dadysett Heiress Hilla Dadysett, aged 100, the last surviving member of one of Mumbai’s most illustrious Parsi families, passed away on May 22, 2023 . She left behind a will that donated her sprawling residence, Monte Rosa , a 3,599.54 sq. metre bungalow at Kemp’s Corner valued at approximately ₹250 crore , to charity. Her will, dated December 18, 2015 , was executed by Hoshang and Rashna Khan , long-time acquaintances and nominated executors.

Court’s Strong Observations The Bombay High Court has held that municipal corporations across Maharashtra must be held liable for loss of life, injuries, and damages caused to citizens due to potholes. The court emphasized that it was unacceptable for citizens to suffer without any fault of their own because of the negligence of civic authorities. A division bench of Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Sandesh Patil made these remarks on Friday while hearing a suo moto public interest litigation (PIL) initiated after reports of multiple pothole-related fatalities. Data Collection on Pothole Deaths Ordered The High Court directed all municipal corporations to collect and submit data on pothole-related deaths and injuries within their jurisdictions. It also asked the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to provide details of accidents on roads and flyovers maintained by them. The court observed: “Municipal corporations must be made liable for this. Th...

Convict Seeks Urgent Medical Treatment in Jail A convict in the 1993 Bombay serial bomb blasts case , Nasir Abdul Kadar Kewal alias Nasir Dhakla , has approached the Bombay High Court seeking urgent medical treatment. Kewal, who is serving a life sentence at Nashik Central Prison , filed a writ petition on August 20 through Advocate Farhana Shah, alleging negligence on the part of prison authorities and requesting court intervention. In his plea, Kewal highlighted his medical history, including ischaemic heart disease and hypertension , which had led to multiple hospital admissions at Sir J.J. Hospital in April 2025 . Following his discharge on April 23, doctors recommended strict medication compliance and regular follow-up visits. However, Kewal alleged that his repeated requests to be taken for check-ups were denied due to the “unavailability of escort staff.” The petition argues that adequate medical treatment is a constitutional right , even for convicted prisoners, and the denia...

Introduction In a landmark decision that could reshape Mumbai’s urban planning, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the Bombay High Court’s ruling to allocate 150 acres of Mulund salt pan land for the rehabilitation of ineligible Dharavi residents under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). The verdict brings closure to a decades-long legal dispute over land originally leased for salt production but left unused for over 30 years. Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Eligibility Criteria The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, one of the world’s largest urban renewal initiatives, classifies residents into categories based on settlement dates: Residents before January 1, 2000 : Eligible for free 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi . Residents between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2011 : Eligible for 300 sq ft homes at alternate sites , such as the Mulund salt pan land. This classification ensures equitable rehabilitation while addressing the housing needs of a massive slum popula...

Bombay High Court Acquits All 12 Accused After 19 Years On July 15, 2024, the Bombay High Court delivered a landmark judgment , acquitting 12 individuals previously convicted for their alleged involvement in the 2006 Mumbai serial train blasts , which had resulted in the deaths of 189 passengers and injuries to more than 827 commuters . The verdict, which comes 19 years after the tragedy , has triggered mixed reactions across the country—bringing joy to the families of those acquitted and renewed anguish to victims’ families still seeking justice. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis: "We Will Challenge the Verdict in Supreme Court" Reacting swiftly to the High Court’s decision, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed shock and disappointment , calling the verdict “very shocking.” He announced that the state government would move the Supreme Court to challenge the acquittals and seek a re-examination of the case. “The verdict of the Bombay High Court ...

  ⚖️ Background of the Case In a significant judgment delivered by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court , a 25-year-old man who had been convicted in a 2015 case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was acquitted. The case involved an allegation that the man harassed a 17-year-old girl by holding her hand and expressing the words, “I love you,” as she was returning from school. This resulted in the registration of a police complaint and criminal charges under Section 354A (sexual harassment) and Section 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as Section 8 of the POCSO Act . A sessions court in Nagpur had earlier sentenced the man to three years’ imprisonment , holding that his actions constituted sexual harassment under the prevailing laws. 🧑‍⚖️ High Court’s Observations and Reasoning The High Court, however, took a different view, setting aside the conviction. Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke , who delivered the verdict, str...

Bombay HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Badlapur Sexual Assault Incident; Hearing Scheduled for Today The Bombay High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra. The incident has triggered widespread protests in the region. A division bench consisting of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Prithviraj Chavan is set to hear the case today, Thursday. Details of the Incident The alleged assault, which led to the arrest of a school attendant on August 17, has sparked outrage and protests across Badlapur. The community's anger intensified following claims of police delay in registering the crime, which has prompted calls for immediate justice and stronger protective measures for children. MSCPCR's Recommendations In response to the public outcry and the perceived police inaction, the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has proposed the establishment of dedicated ...

Pune Car Accident Case: High Court Orders Release of  Minor from Observation Home In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the immediate release of a 17-year-old boy, who was allegedly involved in the Pune car accident, from the observation home. The minor had been held at the Juvenile Justice Board's observation home for 36 days following the incident.  Overview of the Incident The tragic accident in Pune resulted in the loss of two innocent lives, sparking a public outcry and leading to the juvenile's detention. However, the court ruled that the orders remanding him to the observation home were illegal. The court emphasized the importance of adhering to juvenile justice laws, which prioritize the rehabilitation and social integration of juvenile offenders over punitive measures. High Court's Ruling The division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande emphasized that justice must prevail regardless of public pressure or the severit...