New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered the withholding of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide’s salary for November and issued her a show-cause notice over the civic body’s failure to remove encroachments from a plot reserved for a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus station in Borivali East, Mumbai.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana also imposed costs of ₹5 lakh on the BMC after rejecting its request for an additional 30 days to carry out the eviction process.
The bench asked Bhide to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against her for the alleged wilful disobedience of the court’s earlier directions. It also directed that her salary and that of her personal staff not be released until the court’s directions are complied with and the contempt proceedings are considered.
Supreme Court Questions Possible Collusion Between BMC Officials and Encroachers
The bench expressed serious displeasure over the civic body’s failure to act despite earlier time-bound directions. It also raised concerns about possible collusion between municipal officials and those occupying the land.
Read Also: Who Is Ashwini Bhide? Maharashtra IAS Officer Appointed First Woman BMC Commissioner
Chief Justice Surya Kant described the failure as:
“This is an absolutely mischievous breach of the directions of the Supreme Court, with the direct connivance and support of the encroachers.”
The court warned that continued non-compliance could invite further action against the officials concerned.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi made it clear that the commissioner would not receive her salary until the matter was addressed, telling the BMC’s counsel:
“You will not be drawing a salary till the 1st of December 2026. So comply before that. You come here and then you can draw your salary.”
Rejecting the request for more time, the Chief Justice also remarked:
“Let them sit in the midnight and pass the orders. Let them know how to work.”
What Is the Borivali BEST Bus Station Land Dispute?
The case concerns a plot of approximately 3,400 square metres in Borivali East, earmarked for a BEST bus station and associated facilities.
The contempt application was filed by M/s Parag Constructions, the project proponent and owner of the land, alleging that the municipal authorities had failed to remove unauthorised occupants despite the Supreme Court’s directions.
The dispute has involved prolonged litigation between the private developer and the civic authorities over possession and removal of encroachments.
In August 2025, the Supreme Court directed the developer to hand over vacant and peaceful possession of the property, including an administrative building, to the BMC.
Supreme Court Had Given BMC Three Months to Remove Encroachments
The court had previously examined the issue on November 13, 2025, expressing concern that the municipal authorities were attempting to avoid their responsibility for removing unauthorised occupants.
It gave the BMC Commissioner an opportunity to submit a personal affidavit containing details of the occupants, eviction notices issued to them, their responses and documents supporting any claims of tenancy or ownership.
The court again considered the matter on July 28, 2026, when the BMC informed it that notices had been issued under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. However, several occupants had approached civil courts, delaying the eviction process.
The Supreme Court observed that the absence of an interim stay from the civil court did not prevent the corporation from proceeding with the eviction notices.
It directed the BMC to complete the necessary action within three months and submit a compliance report.
BMC Seeks More Time, Supreme Court Rejects Request
During the latest hearing, the BMC sought another 30 days to complete the eviction process, citing litigation initiated by occupants before civil courts.
The civic body also referred to difficulties in examining documents submitted in Marathi and translating them into English.
However, the bench refused to grant another extension, observing that the earlier deadline had already expired and that the corporation had failed to comply with its directions.
The court imposed ₹5 lakh in costs on the BMC and issued a show-cause notice to Bhide, asking her to explain why contempt action should not follow.
The proceedings concern the responsibility of the municipal administration to implement the Supreme Court’s orders despite the occupants’ claims and pending litigation.
Who Is Ashwini Bhide?
Ashwini Satish Bhide is a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Maharashtra cadre. She took charge as the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in March 2026, becoming the first woman to head the civic body.
Before her appointment, she served as Additional Chief Secretary in the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office and held several important administrative and infrastructure-related positions.
Her career includes:
- Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation: Served as Managing Director from 2015 to 2020 and was associated with the implementation of Mumbai Metro Line 3.
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation: Served as Additional Municipal Commissioner before taking charge as the Municipal Commissioner.
- Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office: Served as Additional Chief Secretary.
- District administration: Held positions including Assistant Collector in Kolhapur and Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishads in Sindhudurg and Nagpur.
The Supreme Court’s latest order places the BMC’s handling of the Borivali land dispute and the responsibility of its senior officials under judicial scrutiny.
