Encroachment on Kedareshwar Mahadev Mandir, Lower Parel, Mumbai

Temple Trustees demand of CM action against encroachers

Mumbai – Mumbai Municipal Corporation illegally took over the treasured and historic property (survey no 347) in its name. Building constructor and Skylark Builders’ Mr  Sudhakar Shetty encroached on this property under the guise of surveying the Trust’s land. The above information has been reported by the temple trust through a press release. Trust has asked the Chief Minister (CM) to look into the matter and immediately intervene. Rahul Chaturvedi, a trustee, has asked to file cases against the municipal corporation, concerned officers and the builder and take stringent action against them. A copy of the complaint on this serious matter has also been forwarded to the Central Government.

Rahul Chaturvedi, a trustee of Kedareshwar Mahadev Mandir, stated

1. Kedareshwar Mahadev Mandir was built in 1824, and its official registration was completed in 2007. According to the temple trust, the only owner of 7,094 sqm. land comprising Kedareshwar Mahadev Mandir, Hanuman Galli, Fergusson Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai -13 is Kedareshwar Mahadev Mandir Trust. It has the legal right to this property, which has been accepted by the Mumbai High Court through an order passed on 23.09.2015.

2. It has been stated in the order that registration of the concerned property cannot be done, nor will there be any changes allowed in the status till the final verdict is passed. Violating this order, the Municipal Corporation has registered this property in its own name without valid legal papers.

3. An appeal in this case is pending in the High Court. The Municipal Corporation didn’t issue any notice to the trust nor give it a chance to present its side.

4. The Trust has alleged that a few influential politicians, senior officers and people from the construction field are involved in the matter, and their pressure group is working to grab lands belonging to religious places.

5. Action should also be taken against the local Police if they have helped the guilty in this matter.

6. It is not just a matter related to the property, but it is also related to the historical position of this religious place and people’s religious sentiments.