India, Nov. 19 -- Jagdish and Ravi Mulchandani, a father-son duo, have been fighting for years for the redevelopment of their pagdi building, Kalyan Bhavan, at Marine Lines. Despite following all procedures, doing the rounds of government authorities and winning their case in the Bombay high court and Supreme Court, in July this year they watched the top four floors of their building get demolished.

The Mulchandanis' story is not unique. Like Kalyan Bhavan, many of the 13,000-plus cessed buildings scattered across the island city are stuck in a battle between landlords and tenants. Frustrated by repeated visits to government offices, endless repairs, eviction notices and endless court cases, the Pagdi Ekta Sangh held a protest meeting at...