The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ensure the availability of three new burial grounds for Muslims in the eastern suburbs by December this year.
The residents had raised concerns that the current burial ground is overcrowded and insufficient to accommodate the growing population in the eastern suburbs. Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar presided over the bench hearing the case.
During the proceedings, the bench emphasized the importance of ensuring every deceased person’s right to a dignified last rite, comparing it to other fundamental rights. The BMC was criticized for its perceived negligence in addressing the urgent need for additional burial space.
In response to the court’s directives, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani filed an affidavit expressing regret if the BMC’s previous actions had inadvertently appeared indifferent. The affidavit reassured the court of the BMC’s commitment to resolving the issue promptly.
According to the affidavit, the BMC has identified three plots of land near the existing burial ground, including one in Rafi Nagar and another in Anik village, approximately 8 km away from Govandi. The BMC aims to make these plots available at the earliest.
The court was also informed about pending litigation concerning a portion of land adjoining one of the identified plots, earmarked for a slum rehabilitation project by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority. The bench expressed hope that the litigation would be resolved by December 2024.