Nashik : No Prior Notice Given to Municipal Corporation in SC Petition Over Dargah Encroachment Case

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court regarding the alleged encroachment at Hazrat Satpir Baba Dargah in Kathe Galli, but the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) claims it was neither informed about the case nor received any official notice or stay order until after action was taken.

The civic body received the official stay order via email on Thursday, April 17, at 12:20 pm—a day after it began action to remove unauthorized religious structures in the city. A hearing in the Supreme Court is scheduled for April 21, where NMC officials say they will present their side.

"The Municipal Corporation had issued a 15-day notice to the trust under its anti-encroachment policy. The deadline had passed, and the structure was listed among 66 unauthorized religious places. Hence, action was taken as per the law," said Additional Commissioner Smita Zagade.

She clarified that there was no communication from the trust or any official record showing that the matter was sub judice before the action. "It is being said that the Corporation was already aware of the petition, but that’s not true. We acted after receiving complaints from citizens stating that the dargah was built on public open space and was unauthorized," she added.

The NMC maintains that it followed all legal procedures and will now defend its decision in court on April 21.