16 September,2026 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak Mehta
Pic/Satej Shinde
The Forest Department, acting on a request from Kurar police, demolished nine structures in Malad East on September 7, that were allegedly occupied by 11 people with multiple cases registered against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The structures were located on forest land in areas including Popat Compound, Ambedkar Nagar, Matang Gad, Lalubhai Compound, Jaiswar Nagar, Jamrushi Nagar and Shanti Nagar. Police said theese people had repeatedly faced NDPS cases and that action was intended to disrupt alleged drug-related activity. However, Forest Department said demolition was carried out specifically because structures were on forest land, following a request from the police.
SGNP Director and Conservator of Forests Anita Patil said the action was limited to the nine structures identified by police. "This was not a larger drive. Other residents in proximity to these homes on the forest land continue to stay until further clarity from the government. These select nine structures were demolished by the forest department as per the specific request from the police. The residents of these nine structures had police cases on them under the NDPS Act. Our department carried out the demolition while police ensured law and order."
According to Kurar police: Sayla Subhash Patel alias Shalu Raju Pawar, 35, Dharmendra Jaiswar, 20, Sikander Jaiswar, 21, Pushpa Tayde, 36, Subhash Patel, 41, Sonu Ramnath Nishad, 27, Mohammad Ibrahim Abdul Aziz Sheikh alias John, 59, Amina Ansari, 39, Aisha Salim Sheikh, 40, Santosh Ashok Shirke, 21, Gufran Ali Mumtaz Ali Khan, 35.
The initiative was taken on the orders of Deputy Commissioner of Police, North Zone 3, Gajanan Shivling Rajmane. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Rajmane and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Samta Nagar Division, Kailas Barve. Kurar Senior PI Sushil Kumar Gaikwad supervised the police team.
The Forest Department's demolition drive in Kurar, Malad East on September 7. Pics/Satej Shinde
"These repeat offenders of NDPS Act had constructed these homes illegally on forest land through drug trade. We will be continuing the action with accused illegally residing on lands of BMC, Railway authorities as well," a senior police officer said.
"When illegal activities like drug trade and gambling are carried out from any place, it becomes important to act on the property as a preventive measure. Legal provisions empower us to do this. We had insisted the same to the forest department, and their response and support for our prevention measures was positive," said a senior police official.
The official said police were also preparing lists of alleged drug peddlers operating near railway stations for similar preventive action. "We are collating similar lists for drug peddlers near railway stations as well to bring positive change. Preventive action on drug trade is vital; drug peddlers are ruining our youth and society."
As per a senior forest official, this was a two-month-long process, with the police first reaching out to the forest department in July, following which the Forest Department issued two notices to the occupants of the 9 structures. "Queries in response to the notices were also resolved by us, and the demolition finally took place in September"
NDPS cases: Police said multiple cases under the NDPS Act had been registered against the 11 people
Forest land: The structures were allegedly unauthorised and located on forest land
Police request: The Forest Department carried out the demolition following a specific request from Kurar police
Law and order: Police provided security
