21-05-2025
BMC to issue stopwork notice to synagogue over ‘repairs'
Mumbai: The BMC on Tuesday began the process of issuing a stop work notice to the authorities of the historic
Magen David Synagogue
in Byculla after it found that massive repairs were being carried out without
civic permissions
.
The Jewish house of worship is a heritage structure that is 170-years-old.
The civic action came after
South Mumbai restaurateur Moshe Shek
, himself a Jew, posted a video clip and pictures on social media Tuesday, claiming that the historic synagogue was being "bulldozed". Shek also apprised BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and local civic and police officials of the matter. His visuals of the synagogue's ripped interiors evoked alarm among citizens, activists, heritage lovers and indeed, the Jewish community.
"A heritage structure is being bulldozed with zero permissions in place.
I have lodged my complaints with the authorities..." he wrote. Arun Chavan, designated officer from E ward which oversees Byculla, said that civic staff was sent first on Monday evening immediately after a complaint was received, but as the premises was locked, they had to return. On Tuesday evening they went to deliver the stop work notice but as the synagogue was shut again, the notice will be delivered on Wednesday as an acknowledgement of receipt would be required.
"When our staff inspected the premises earlier on Tuesday, demolition work was being carried out. Prima facie it appears that the community wasn't aware of the permissions needed. However as an immediate step we are in the process of issuing a notice under section 354A of the MMC Act 1888 to stop any kind of work till they receive the permissions," said Chavan.
In case the trust fails to comply, the BMC can initiate penal proceedings.
Shek told TOI, "On Sunday I visited the site and was shocked to see the demolition work. The columns were being broken and debris filled into gunny bags. When I was taking pictures, a woman affiliated with the trust snatched my phone and attacked me. I filed a complaint at Nagpada police station and wrote to the municipal commissioner and the local ward office.
"
Solomon Sopher, chairman of the Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity Trust which oversees the synagogue termed Shek's allegations "false and malicious". He said, "We had noticed structural faults in this 170-year-old structure and approached a restoration architect whose estimated cost for the project was Rs 9.7 crore. This was beyond our the trust decided to do basic strengthening of the beams and columns and prevent seepage caused by the impending monsoons.
"
