The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has begun demolition action against alleged unauthorised alterations at Rustomjee Crown, a luxury residential complex in Mumbai\u2019s Prabhadevi area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The civic body carried out demolition work in three flats on August 24 after finding alleged alterations that were not in line with the sanctioned building plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The action follows months of complaints, notices and proceedings involving several flats in the high-rise complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 128 Flats Received Notices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMC has issued notices to 138 flats<\/strong> in Wings A and B of the project over alleged unauthorised construction and alterations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reports had earlier put the number of flats facing action at around 128, but the latest civic action involves a larger number of notices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The notices relate to alleged changes involving common areas, kitchen ducts, ventilation shafts and other spaces that were not part of the approved habitable areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common Areas Allegedly Added To Flats<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the key allegations is that some residents allegedly enclosed common areas around lift lobbies and incorporated those spaces into their apartments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the complaint that triggered the civic action, some of the disputed spaces measured around 450 to 800 square feet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The complaint alleged that these areas were effectively converted into additional private living space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMC subsequently examined the alleged alterations and initiated proceedings against the concerned flat owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disputed Space Could Be Worth Crores<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The value of the allegedly encroached areas is particularly striking because of property prices in Prabhadevi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The complainant estimated that an additional 450 to 500 square feet of space could represent an unauthorised gain of around \u20b92.25 crore to \u20b92.50 crore per flat<\/strong>, based on prevailing property prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The disputed common spaces across the affected flats have been estimated at a combined value running into hundreds of crores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These figures underline why the alleged conversion of common areas has become a major issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BMC Issued Notices Before Demolition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The civic body did not move directly to demolition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the BMC, notices were issued under Section 354A of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act<\/strong> and Section 53(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concerned flat owners were given an opportunity to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The civic body subsequently passed speaking orders in applicable cases before beginning demolition action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This process was cited by officials as the basis for the action carried out on August 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Was Demolished?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The alterations targeted by the BMC reportedly included the enclosure and merger of common lobby areas with individual flats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other alleged changes involved the incorporation of kitchen ducts and ventilation shaft spaces into habitable areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These spaces can have specific regulatory treatment under sanctioned building plans and Floor Space Index calculations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMC’s action was therefore aimed at restoring the areas to their approved configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rustomjee Says Developer Followed Approved Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The developer, Rustomjee Group, has maintained that the project itself was constructed according to plans sanctioned by the competent authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company said the development complied with applicable norms and had received an Occupation Certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The developer also said it had been cooperating with authorities and providing information requested during the proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has encouraged flat owners to undertake corrective measures wherever required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dispute Is Mainly About Flat-Level Alterations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The distinction between the developer and individual flat owners is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The allegations being acted upon concern alterations and additions allegedly carried out within or around individual residential units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The developer has stated that there were no violations on its part and that the building was constructed according to the approved plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMC’s action, meanwhile, is focused on alleged unauthorised changes associated with particular flats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rustomjee Crown Is A High-Rise Luxury Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rustomjee Crown is located at the former Crown Mill compound in Prabhadevi, one of Mumbai’s premium residential areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The complex consists of multiple high-rise towers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wings A and B have 63 floors<\/strong>, while another wing is under construction and is expected to rise to around 65 floors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project includes three-, four- and five-bedroom apartments, with some units measuring more than 3,000 square feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several High-Profile Owners Reportedly Linked To Flats<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The controversy has attracted additional attention because some of the flats under scrutiny are reportedly associated with politicians, bureaucrats and businesspeople.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reports have named several political figures among people linked to flats in the development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, being an owner or occupant of a flat that received a notice does not by itself establish that the individual personally carried out an unauthorised alteration or committed any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMC action relates to specific alleged construction violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Complaint Triggered The Civic Investigation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The issue gained momentum following a complaint by RTI activist Santosh Daundkar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The complaint alleged that residents had enclosed common spaces and made other alterations that were not permitted under the sanctioned plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The allegations also included merging flats and using areas excluded from Floor Space Index calculations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the complaint, the BMC’s G-South ward began examining the alleged violations and subsequently issued notices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Is FSI And Why Does It Matter?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Floor Space Index, or FSI, determines how much floor area can be constructed on a particular plot relative to its size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain spaces may be treated differently from regular habitable floor area under building regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If spaces that were not supposed to form part of a private residence are incorporated into a flat, the change can potentially affect the approved development calculations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is why the alleged use of common areas, ducts and other spaces has become part of the BMC proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BMC Action Could Continue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The demolition carried out on August 24 is not necessarily the end of the matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The civic body has indicated that further action will follow the required legal process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a large number of notices already issued, additional flats could face corrective action if their alleged alterations are found to violate sanctioned plans and the relevant regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exact action will depend on the individual cases and orders passed by the civic authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why The Case Is Getting So Much Attention<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rustomjee Crown action is significant because it involves a premium residential development where apartments command extremely high prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The allegations also concern common areas rather than simply minor interior modifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If residents are found to have converted shared spaces into private usable areas, it raises questions about building permissions, residents’ rights and enforcement of development rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The involvement of high-profile residents has further increased public attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Residents Need To Know<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The case is also a reminder that owning a luxury apartment does not necessarily mean owners can freely modify every surrounding space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common areas, ducts, shafts, lobbies and other parts of a building can be subject to approved plans and building regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any alteration that changes the approved configuration may require appropriate permissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Residents who make unauthorised changes can potentially face notices, penalties or demolition action depending on the nature of the violation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Major Enforcement Drive In Prabhadevi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMC’s action at Rustomjee Crown demonstrates that the civic body is willing to act against alleged unauthorised construction even inside high-value residential projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The demolition follows months of notices and proceedings rather than being a sudden action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the affected residents, the immediate issue is whether the alterations identified by the civic body can remain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the wider city, the case highlights the continuing challenge of controlling unauthorised construction and protecting common spaces in Mumbai’s increasingly vertical residential developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bigger Issue Is Common Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the heart of the controversy is a simple question: can common or excluded building areas be converted into private living space?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMC’s position is that unauthorised alterations must be removed where they violate sanctioned plans and applicable laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The developer, meanwhile, says the project was constructed according to approved plans and that it has cooperated with the authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The outcome of the ongoing proceedings will determine how the individual cases are ultimately resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"BMC](\"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-7.02.51-AM-1024x575.png\")
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