The Supreme Court had asked the Forest Department in May to take action against the illegal ashram at Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS) in Vasai, as it violated several norms. A report in this paper cited that it is learnt from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) that alleged political interference and violence anticipated from the followers of the maharaj whose ashram it is are preventing action. SGNP authorities have already written to the police saying they will require huge force to take action.

It is disturbing to note that illegal structures not only come up but are allowed to take root and actually flourish because the people behind them have influence and muscle power. This goes beyond this one ashram and is unfortunately a pattern across the city. And, when the structure has religious connotations, the situation becomes even more delicate.