Mumbai High Court Halts Demolition After Protests Over 90-Year-Old Jain Temple in Vile Parle

Mumbai, April 19, 2025 — In a dramatic turn of events, the Bombay High Court has issued an interim stay. This action stops any further demolition activity at the temple site. It also prevents additional construction at the 90-year-old Parshwanath Digambar Jain Mandir in Vile Parle East. The move comes amid mounting protests by the Jain community. The protests followed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) surprise pre-dawn demolition of the historic temple on Wednesday.

The stay was granted during an emergency hearing. Temple authorities filed a contempt petition against the BMC. They accused it of acting prematurely—just two days before a scheduled hearing on their challenge to the demolition notice. Justice A.M. Thakker criticized the civic body’s “hasty and unilateral action,” stating that “no authority is above the judicial process.”

Both parties have now been ordered to submit original structural and approval documents by Monday. Until then, the court has prohibited any further alteration of the site.

The demolition, carried out under the claim that the structure was “unauthorized,” sparked widespread outrage. Hundreds of Jain followers staged demonstrations outside the local ward office. Political leaders joined them. The leaders included Congress Mumbai chief Varsha Gaikwad and BJP MLA Parag Alawani. Revered Jain monk Shrimat Chandan Sagar Maharaj was also present.

Ramesh Mehta, chairman of the temple trust, said outside the courtroom: “This stay is a welcome step. However, our goal is full restoration of the mandir, just as it was. We will pursue every legal avenue to ensure justice.”

In response, the BMC maintained that the temple lacked approved building plans or an occupancy certificate, as per municipal records. A statement issued by Deputy Commissioner R. Patil reaffirmed the civic body’s stance, adding: “We will cooperate fully with the legal process. If heritage elements are proven, those concerns will be respected within the framework of the law.”

Meanwhile, protests have continued to gather momentum. Devotees gathered at Mandvi junction today, holding prayer meetings and hunger strikes. Organizers have called for a candlelight vigil on Sunday and appealed to Maharashtra’s leadership to mediate a resolution.

As Monday’s court deadline approaches, attention now shifts to whether the BMC can legally justify its demolition. There is focus on the High Court’s decision. Will they order the reinstatement of one of Mumbai’s most revered Jain temples?