HC Orders Rs 25 Lakh Compensation for Airoli Ward Officer Who Suffered Miscarriage

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra state government to pay Rs 25 lakh in compensation to an assistant commissioner of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's G ward in Airoli. The civic official suffered a miscarriage after she was allegedly manhandled by a large mob during a demolition drive conducted on July 30.

Awarding the compensation to the official, a division bench comprising Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata observed that the mental agony and physical suffering caused to the officer cannot be ignored.

The court strongly criticized police personnel who were present at the scene of the demolition drive, noting that they remained mute spectators and failed to provide protection to the assistant commissioner and other civic officials.

In its order, the bench directed the Director General of Police to take stern necessary legal action against all police personnel present during the incident who failed to perform their duty. The high court further ordered that the Rs 25 lakh compensation amount be recovered directly from the salaries of the defaulting police officers.

The directions were issued while the bench was hearing a contempt petition filed by advocate Kishore Shetty regarding the non-compliance of a March 27, 2025 high court order. That earlier order had directed authorities to conduct a survey within four months to identify illegal constructions and grant a hearing to owners and occupants prior to undertaking demolition work.

During court proceedings on Tuesday, the advocate representing the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation informed the bench that civic officials faced obstruction from a large mob during the July 30 demolition drive. The civic body's counsel also submitted the First Information Report registered in connection with the assault and manhandling of the municipal officers.