Mumbai: BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay on Tuesday said in the legislative assembly that 10 lakh square feet of govt land in Mumbai was encroached upon, most of it by religious structures. Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant said Mhada failed to take action against illegal religious structures on their lands.
Upadhyay said the Chembur Noor-e-Ilahi mosque grew from 129 sq ft in 2000 to a 32,000-sq-ft structure. The mosque is on the third floor, and there are 14 shops below, a banquet hall, and a ground. “I had a meeting with Mhada officials, but they have not taken any action yet. Those who are protecting such structures must be arrested, and action must be taken,” Upadhyay asked while speaking on his calling attention motion. “There must be immediate action in areas like Chembur, Ghatkopar and Mankhurd. In the guise of law and order, all these structures are being protected,” Upadhyay said.
Samant said there will be an inquiry into the delay and failure to take action against the mosque in Chembur. — Chaitanya Marpakwar
