Supreme Court Upholds Demolition of 17 Illegal Buildings in Thane, Cites Underworld Links

New Delhi, June 17, 2025 — In a strong stance against illegal constructions, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Special Leave Petition challenging the Bombay High Court’s interim order to demolish 17 illegally constructed buildings in Thane. The apex court bench, comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan, upheld the demolition order, citing serious irregularities and links between the builders and the underworld.

The Court observed that the structures were built without proper permissions and on third-party land, raising serious concerns over the safety and legality of such developments. Justice Manmohan praised the Bombay High Court for its bold position and condemned the ongoing exploitation of innocent homebuyers by land mafias.

The petition was initially filed by a buyer claiming to represent around 400 families living in the disputed buildings. However, the Supreme Court noted that the petitioner lacked documentation and advised seeking legal action against the builder instead.

Referring to the Bombay High Court’s order dated June 12, the apex court highlighted the collusion between municipal officials and builders in facilitating these illegal constructions. While dismissing the plea, the Court allowed the petitioner to approach the High Court afresh with proper evidence and legal grounds.

This ruling sends a strong message against unauthorized real estate practices and underlines the judiciary’s resolve to protect citizens from fraudulent builders and corrupt urban planning systems.