BMC Demolishes Illegal Film Studios In Mumbai's Malad After NGT Order. WATCH

The move occurred when former BJP MP Somaiya revealed the matter in Sept 2022, stating that unlawful buildings worth Rs 1,000 crore had been built in the regions, flagrantly breaking all standards.

Bulldozer demolishing illegally constructed film studios in Mumbai.

Source : Twitter/@ANI

Following the National Green Tribunal (West) decision, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday began dismantling a half-dozen illegal film shooting studios that had sprouted up in Malad's scenic seaside Madh, Erangal, Marve, and Batti, news agency IANS reported.

The move occurred when former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya revealed the matter in September 2022, stating that unlawful buildings worth Rs 1,000 crore had been built in the regions, flagrantly breaking all standards.

Speaking with media at the demolition site, Somaiya stated: "The NGT passed an order yesterday (April 6) that these studios are unauthorised, and they have misused permissions and built permanent structures instead of temporary studios for six month."

Earlier today, BMC demolished the movie studio built by former minister and Congress leader Aslam Shaikh in the Madh area of Mumbai. In July 2022, Aslam Shaikh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Environment Ministry for unlawfully running film studios on Madh Island.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday demolished the movie studio built by former minister and Congress leader Aslam Shaikh in the Madh area of Mumbai.

Aslam Shaikh came under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Environment Ministry in July… pic.twitter.com/zmNEsNuTNY

— Muktanshu (@muktanshu) April 7, 2023

Somaiya launched a scathing assault on the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), claiming that the licences were granted by Shiv Sena (UBT) former Minister Aditya Thackeray and Congress ex-minister Aslam Sheikh, the local Legislator.

After Somaiya's allegation, BMC Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal initiated an investigation, and the report was presented in February 2023.

According to the results, there were no illegalities, but simply procedural flaws by a half-dozen civic officials from various departments in the BMC P-North Ward.

The BMC received around four dozen complaints from people in 2021-2022 saying that multiple unsanctioned film shooting studios had mushroomed in locations that were within the Coastal Regulation Zone and No Development Zone, while Somaiya had also identified about 20 such facilities.

A grinning Somaiya and his followers arrived in the location this morning, carrying a symbolic hammer and axe,'surveyed' the site with some ostensibly civic authorities, produced 'thumbsup' signs, and supervised the demolition of the existing studios.

(With Inputs From IANS)