MUMBAI, Aug. 19 -- The Bombay High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by residents of Jai Bhim Nagar in Powai, challenging the demolition action scheduled by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Raising concerns over the dangers of footpath encroachment, the court allowed the corporation to go ahead with the demolition. However, no demolition action took place on Monday. Meena Govind Limbole and 23 others, who filed the petition on Monday, stated that they have fallen victim to the brutal power of the State administration, consisting of police personnel and BMC officials, who formed "a deadly combination" at the behest of a local builder/developer. In addition to assault, the petitioners alleged that they were also falsely implicated in criminal offences under the Maharashtra Police Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. Earlier in June, Tivoli and Evita Cooperative Housing Societys approached the high court seeking removal of encroachments by hutment dwellers in Jai Bhim Nagar on the footpath that faces the society. Their petition stated that a dispute between the residents of Jai Bhim Nagar and the concerned builder over the June 2024 demolition led the residents to occupy the footpath, making it impossible for pedestrians to walk there. Authorities have ignored cooking activities that led to fire in the past and other activities that make the place unhygienic, alleged the petition. "This omission on the part of the office of the concerned authorities is completely illegal, and affecting the lives of residents of the Petitioners and other societies too," the CHS' petition stated. Consequently, on July 7, 2025, the division bench of justice GS Kulkarni and justice Arif Doctor in high court observed that the neatly built pavement in Powai was "completely encroached" by tin and plastic sheds used not only for shelter but for daily activities such as cooking, selling food, and drying clothes. The court on Monday directed the municipal corporation to form a special cell consisting of an additional commissioner and two senior officers to group wards and survey all encroached footpaths in Mumbai. The cell would then take out eviction action against the encroachers. The civic body informed the court that it intends to demolish the slum colony with police assistance on Monday. Advocate Rakesh Singh, who is representing the residents, said on Monday evening that the BMC officials did not reached the spot....