India, Sept. 13 -- A civil court in Thane has issued a temporary injunction to stop any demolition or damage to the St John Baptist Church. The church, also known as Our Lady of Mercy Church, is located at Pokhran Road No. 2 in Thane.

In March 2025, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) allegedly began levelling work on a land abutting the church property. Following this, the St John Baptist Church Trust filed a lawsuit against TMC. The TMC had intended to erect a compound wall and conduct beautification work to create a playground on an adjacent plot.

Melwyn Fernandes, activist and parishioner of Our Lady Of Mercy Church, explained the land where TMC was carrying out the works is currently in the Church's possession but has been involv...