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Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad demands immediate action
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Over ₹3.17 crore pending for more than three years
Mumbai – Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad has alleged that approximately 1,137.32 sq. m of government land in Mumbai’s prominent Fort area has been under illegal possession for the past 33 years by the Free Church of Scotland (now Church of St Andrew and St Columba).
In this regard, the Parishad has written to the Secretary of the Revenue Department, demanding action against the concerned officials and immediate restoration of the land to government control.
According to the complaint, in 1894, the land bearing Survey No. 1405 in the Fort area was leased to the then Free Church of Scotland for 99 years. In the 1930s, this institution was merged into the Church of St Andrew and St Columba.
The lease expired on 13 June 1993. As per rules, the government was required either to renew the lease or to evict the institution and take possession of the land. However, for the past three decades, no concrete action has been taken by the Mumbai City Collector.
Original lessee no longer exists; only notices issued by administration
The original lessee, Free Church of Scotland, no longer exists. Despite this, the Church of St Andrew and St Columba continues to occupy the land. The institution has not produced any valid documentation for transfer of rights, yet the Collector’s office has limited its action to issuing notices.
₹3.17 Crore pending for over three years
In 2022, the Collector issued a notice demanding ₹3,17,04,895 as pending dues. However, this amount remains unpaid.
Despite having powers under Section 53 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code to act against unauthorised occupation, the administration has not taken steps to recover the dues over the past three years.
Demand for action against responsible officials – Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar
Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, National President of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, stated that this issue is not limited to a single case. Across Maharashtra, several government lands continue to be misused even after lease periods have expired.
Audit reports have repeatedly pointed to significant revenue losses. Due to administrative inaction, the land remains under occupation. He has demanded strict disciplinary action against the responsible officials.