No Residential Buildings Demolished at Vishalgad Fort: Maharashtra Responds to Court

The Kolhapur Police filed an affidavit, citing heavy rains and low visibility as obstacles to taking appropriate action against violence and vandalism at the Vishalgad Fort area on July 14. They mentioned filing five FIRs against over 100 individuals, including former MP Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje, activists Ravindra Padwal, and Banda Salunkhe, for their alleged involvement. This was submitted to a bench of Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla, who were reviewing applications from locals claiming the demolition of residential premises despite prohibitory orders, as well as police inaction to control mobs ransacking their houses. Advocate General Birendra Saraf stated that, in compliance with a government circular, no residential premises were demolished during the monsoon season.

Conversely, the petitioners’ advocate, S B Talekar, contended that a few houses were indeed demolished, prompting the bench to request an affidavit confirming this. The police, in their affidavit, detailed the filing of FIRs and the ongoing investigation. They emphasized taking necessary measures to prevent untoward incidents, including setting up checkpoints to deter groups from marching towards the fort. They explained that heavy rains and fog on July 14 hampered visibility and made it challenging for authorities to act appropriately, but they continued their efforts to prevent a law and order situation.

An affidavit from the Directorate of Archaeology clarified that they had only demolished unprotected commercial structures. The petitioners alleged that right-wing activists defied prohibitory orders and created chaos by entering the fort, despite police presence to protect the Muslim residents and properties. They also mentioned a previous court ruling against the demolition notices issued by the state Archaeology Department in 2023. In summary, an anti-encroachment drive at the Vishalgad Fort turned violent on July 14, leading to clashes between a mob and the police, amid allegations of demolished residential premises and police inaction.