The Malad garden temple controversy has escalated after residents alleged unauthorised construction within a public garden in Malad West. Complaints claim that work resumed despite an earlier stay order by the Bombay High Court, raising concerns about compliance and enforcement. Residents have also highlighted environmental risks linked to the loss of green space. In a parallel development, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation engineer in a separate bribery case, intensifying scrutiny over civic governance. Authorities have not yet issued a detailed response on either matter.

Malad garden temple row: Residents allege illegal construction, BMC engineer arrested in separate ACB bribery case

Complaints over alleged unauthorised temple construction in Malad (West) have escalated, even as a separate Anti-Corruption Bureau action against a BMC official has raised broader governance concerns.

The Malad garden temple controversy has intensified after residents alleged illegal construction within a public garden, while a parallel bribery case involving a civic official has heightened scrutiny of enforcement mechanisms.

Residents of Sunder Nagar in Malad (West), Mumbai, have formally complained against the alleged construction of a Shiv temple inside a designated public garden space.

According to a letter dated April 13, Sunder Nagar Residents Welfare Association President Subhash Saboo urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to immediately halt the ongoing construction activities.

The complaint alleges that the construction has resumed despite an earlier stay order issued by the Bombay High Court, raising questions about compliance with judicial directives.

Allegations of resumed construction despite the Bombay High Court stay

Residents have alleged that a group identified as Shakti Sangh has restarted construction activities at the site, where similar attempts were reportedly halted following earlier court intervention.

Members of the association have stated that debris from previous demolition remains at the location, suggesting prior enforcement action and subsequent resumption of activities.

They have further alleged that continuation of construction despite a court stay may constitute a violation of judicial orders, although no official confirmation has been issued by authorities.

Environmental concerns over the loss of public green space

The garden, located off S.V. Road in Malad (West), is considered a significant open space within the locality, with several trees reportedly over sixty years old.

Residents have expressed concern that any permanent structure within the garden could adversely impact the ecological balance and reduce available green cover in the area.

They have also cited provisions under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, stating that land designated for recreational use cannot be converted for construction purposes.

Fears of encroachment and community tensions

Apart from environmental considerations, residents have raised concerns that permitting a religious structure within a public garden could lead to encroachments and increased crowd-related disturbances.

Local Residents have stated that such developments may alter the character of the space, which is currently used by children, senior citizens, and families.

They have also expressed apprehension that the situation could lead to disputes or tensions, although these concerns remain anticipatory and have not been officially substantiated.

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Civic authorities are yet to respond to complaints

The complaint has been marked to local police authorities and ward officials, with residents seeking urgent intervention to halt construction and prevent further encroachments.

As of publication, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation have not issued a formal response or clarified whether any notices have been served under applicable laws.

The absence of immediate enforcement action has raised broader concerns among residents regarding the role of civic authorities in protecting designated public spaces.

ACB arrests BMC Junior Engineer Vishal Bhalchandra Wani in bribery case

In a separate development, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Mumbai Unit, apprehended Vishal Bhalchandra Wani, a Junior Engineer in the Storm Water Drain Department of F/North Ward.

According to official reports, the complainant had sought drainage permission for a construction site, during which Wani allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹10,00,000.

After the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau on April 22, 2026, a verification process was conducted, confirming the alleged demand and agreement for an initial payment.

Trap operation conducted under senior ACB officials

A trap was laid on April 24, 2026, during which Vishal Bhalchandra Wani was allegedly caught accepting ₹2,50,000 as part of the demanded amount.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Sandeep Diwan and Anil Gerdikar, Additional Police Commissioners, and Rajendra Sangale, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The trap was executed by Police Inspector Sushma Khot and supervised by Assistant Commissioner of Police Pravin Chougule, according to official statements.

Legal action was initiated, and a public advisory was issued

The Anti-Corruption Bureau has initiated proceedings under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against Vishal Bhalchandra Wani.

Authorities have issued a public appeal encouraging citizens to report instances of bribery through official helplines, including toll-free number 1064 and designated communication channels.

Sprouts News will continue to track developments in both the Malad garden construction dispute and the bribery case, as questions remain over enforcement, accountability, and regulatory oversight.

Readers’ Appeal

Unmesh Gujarathi, an investigative journalist, has exposed multiple alleged scams and frauds linked to civic bodies, including the BMC. Readers with credible documents, evidence, or firsthand information are encouraged to share details with the team at 9322755098 to support ongoing investigations and ensure greater public accountability.

Editorial Note:

This article is based on publicly available FIR records, court case references, and reports published by multiple media organisations. The information is presented in the context of ongoing investigations and public interest reporting. Sprouts News does not make any judicial determination regarding the individuals mentioned and does not intend to defame any person or organisation. Any individual seeking clarification or wishing to provide an official response may contact the editorial team with verifiable documentation. The information is presented for journalistic and informational purposes.