A fresh controversy erupted at King’s Circle railway station on Thursday evening after demolition work was reportedly carried out at a disputed site despite a standing court order prohibiting any such activity.
Eyewitnesses and officials confirmed that JCB machines were spotted near the ticket booking office on Platform No. 2, where demolition was underway. The activity has triggered alarm among railway authorities, given that the site is at the center of an ongoing legal dispute.
According to a letter addressed to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Wadala Government Railway Police (GRP), the station manager flagged the activity as illegal, noting that the matter remains sub judice. “No work can be carried out while the matter is under judicial review,” the letter written by the station manager on June 27 to the RPF and Wadala GRP stated. A copy of the communication has been accessed by The Free Press Journal.
Attempts to reach the station manager for comment on Friday were unsuccessful, as he declined to speak on the issue. Meanwhile, an RPF official responded, “We will ensure action is taken.”
When contacted, Wadala GRP claimed the site does not fall within their area of responsibility and referred the matter to Sion Police. Sion Police confirmed receiving a complaint from railway officials and said a preliminary investigation has been conducted, with a report forwarded to senior authorities.
According to police, the land was originally owned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) but was later handed over to a private developer by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). Official documents reportedly confirm this transfer. However, a legal dispute over land ownership and usage rights between BMC and SRA remains unresolved.
"The site in question has been contentious since last year, when a portion of the booking office was reportedly demolished without authorization. That action led to a court case and a subsequent order halting further demolition until the matter is resolved. Despite this, demolition equipment reappeared this week, raising serious concerns about the enforcement of judicial orders," said a railway official who did not want to be quoted.
