Mumbai: An application filed before the Bombay High Court by Abhinav Bharat Congress, a Hindu organisation led by Pankaj K. Phadnis, has sought an urgent relief against the State government’s delay in granting heritage status to ‘Savarkar Sadan’, the Shivaji Park residence of freedom fighter and Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The petitioner has also sought directions to denotify ‘Jinnah House’ as a heritage structure or, in the alternative, rename it as ‘Rattanbai House’ in official records.
BMC’s 2010 Recommendation Yet to Be Approved by State Government
The application, filed in an ongoing public interest litigation (PIL), states that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had invited public suggestions and objections regarding the inclusion of Savarkar Sadan in the heritage list via a notice on June 3, 2010.
As no objections were received, the final recommendation, approved by the Municipal Commissioner, was sent to the Urban Development Department (UDD) on August 30, 2010. Under Development Control and Promotion Regulation (DCPR) 52(4), the building was deemed to be included in the Draft Heritage List pending formal government approval.
UDD Asks for Fresh Heritage Panel Meeting, Petitioner Alleges Impropriety
The petitioner contends that despite the statutory deeming provision and passage of 14 years, the State has failed to take a reasoned decision or issue any public communication.
Instead, the UDD wrote to the BMC on July 9, 2025, directing it to convene a fresh meeting of the Heritage Conservation Committee, which the petitioner claims is an attempt to reopen the issue and allow a private builder, who missed the 2010 deadline, to now raise objections.
Phadnis has alleged procedural impropriety, pointing out that he was informed about the July 22 committee meeting just hours before via an incomplete email that did not specify the venue or time. He argues that any such meeting can only be held to consider removal from the draft list and not to revisit the inclusion itself.
Petitioner Wants Jinnah House Denotified or Renamed ‘Rattanbai House’
The application also highlights the symbolic significance of Savarkar Sadan, calling it the epicentre of the movement to keep India united, while contrasting it with ‘Jinnah House’, described as the seat of the movement that led to the country’s partition.
Accordingly, the petitioner has sought directions to denotify Jinnah House as a Grade IIA heritage structure. Alternatively, he urges the court to direct the government to rename the bungalow as ‘Rattanbai House’, after Jinnah’s secular wife, to send a strong message that India honours nationalist values.
State Cites 2012 Mantralaya Fire, Says Heritage Files Were Destroyed
The State, in its reply affidavit, said the 2012 Mantralaya fire destroyed several heritage files, delaying the decision. It said that the matter is now under active review by the newly constituted Heritage Committee, following directions from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Bombay HC Seeks Clarification from State and BMC
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne has asked the State and the BMC to clarify their positions. Further hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
