MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has dismissed a petition filed by two societies representing the Koli community from Danda Koliwada, a fishing village in Khar West. The petition challenged a court-appointed committee’s determination that slum redevelopment would not negatively impact their activities.
Justices Makarand Karnik and Shriram Modak remarked that the societies’ challenge to the committee’s findings and requested reliefs involved intricate fact-finding and the need to evaluate evidence. They noted, “Hence the dispute raised by the petitioners can only be resolved before the competent civil court, and it is not possible for us to examine such disputes under writ jurisdiction as per Article 226,” they added.
Last year, the societies contested the Slum Rehabilitation Authority’s (SRA) categorization of a portion of their land—3,449 sqm out of 9,588 sqm—used for drying fish and related activities, as a slum rehabilitation area. They argued that this declaration would obstruct their access for loading and unloading dry fish. On December 17, 2025, the High Court appointed a three-member committee, comprising additional principal secretary from the urban development department, the suburban collector, and the SRA’s CEO, to hold hearings and accurately demarcate the government land according to legal standards. The committee’s report, released on February 24, indicated around 26,000 sqm of available land suitable for the traditional Koli community business, with direct access to the main Carter Road. Consequently, the Koli societies filed another petition challenging this committee’s report.
Senior advocate Gayatri Singh, representing the societies, claimed that the 3,449 sqm area has a non-buildable reservation. In contrast, senior advocate Ravi Kadam, representing Jasani Realty Pvt Ltd, argued that the area is buildable. Advocate Amogh Singh, representing Hanuman Nagar CHS, stated that 161 slum dwellers had vacated the area and that no fish drying activities were occurring on the plot.
The judges noted that the High Court’s December 2025 order indicated that “the dispute is solely regarding the demarcation and whether the petitioners’ traditional rights are in any way affected by the proposed slum redevelopment.” They concluded that the matter could be resolved in a competent civil court. “We find no merit in the petition and, leaving all questions open, dismiss the writ petition,” they remarked.
The judges permitted Singh’s request for a stay on the order, maintaining the status quo from the December 17 ruling for three weeks.
