Bombay HC Pushes MHADA on Jogeshwari Redevelopment

The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to deliberate on the fate of 22 tenants reportedly refusing to quit their residences in Majaswadi, Jogeshwari, within one month.

A panel of Justices M.S. Karnik and S.M. Modak was hearing a petition from more than 300 families whose reconstruction has been halted since 2008. The petitioners, who support the redevelopment, have demanded that the land be cleared so that the project can proceed.

Over 300 families, under the umbrella of Majaswadi Sarvoday Nagar CHS, initially approached MHADA, requesting action against 22 families who were not complying. After hearing both sides, the MHADA reserved its decision, causing the families to petition the Bombay High Court.

MHADA Jogeshwari project encounters barrier; 22 residents refuse to leave

The lawsuit involves the renovation of an MHADA community in Jogeshwari East, Mumbai, which includes 579 units owned by the Majaswadi Sarvodayanagar Co-operative Housing Society.

Residents chose a hybrid redevelopment scheme in 2008, with Acme Realities Pvt Ltd serving as the developer. The project’s goal was to rehouse all tenants while using the leftover property to build the sales towers. Acme began construction on three rehab towers for 171 of the original tenants and launched two sale towers, selling properties to around 350 homebuyers.

The project required significant cash and liabilities were ₹4,326.72 crore when it reached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). After Acme failed to complete the project, homebuyers approached the NCLT, who in August 2025 selected Pune-based Mantra Developers to take over. Mantra plans to invest approximately ₹600 crore to finish the project.

A significant requirement for the takeover was that all remaining tenants leave the plot. Of the 579 original tenants, 171 had already been rehabbed. Among the others, approximately 300 had moved out but had not paid their rent, while 92 families remained on-site. Mantra settled overdue rent dues after taking ownership, and 70 families deserted the site, leaving only 22.

Over 300 residents addressed MHADA and eventually moved the Bombay High Court to demand action against the non-cooperative tenants, since renovation was blocked.The new developer provided a new source of hope for all of us. Many of us have lived in rented homes for years without receiving any aid or rent from the previous developer. When NCLT appointed the new developer, we were all thrilled and sure that we would be able to move into our new homes shortly. However, 22 of our own members have slowed the initiative by refusing to leave. “The new developer has no choice but to stop paying us rent,” said Sanjay Bane, chairman of Majaswadi Sarvodayanagar Co-operative Housing Society.

Bane stated that they approached the Bombay High Court after MHADA failed to take action against tenants who refused to vacate.

Bombay High Court’s order

The Bombay High Court ruling states that the petition was heard by the Competent Authority (MHADA) and reserved for orders on March 6, 2026.

The Bombay High Court ruled on April 27 that the petitioner and others waiting for the redevelopment project are suffering due to the lack of a definitive order.We heard skilled counsel for the MHADA.

In the facts of this case, and after hearing the learned counsel for the Petitioner and the grounds raised in the Petition, we are satisfied that the MHADA could be requested to issue an order expeditiously on the application, which is reserved for March 6, 2026, and in any case within four weeks of today,” the order stated.