Dombivali: Major land encroachment and illegal construction on the ancestral land belonging to the family of Dr BR Ambedkar has sparked outrage in the Kalyan-Dombivli region.

Situated near Dawdi village on Shilphata Road, an eight-storey building has been illegally constructed on the land. The unauthorized construction not only violates town planning norms but also highlights the glaring failure of governance by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).

The land in question is registered in the names of Dr Ambedkar’s direct heirs, including Yashwant Bhimrao Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar, Anandraj Ambedkar, Bhimrao Ambedkar and Ramatai Teltumbde. However, local land mafias allegedly took control of the property, claiming ancestral rights and constructed the building without securing proper permissions or adhering to any legal protocols.

Anant Navsagre, the KDMC president of Republican Sena, has been vocal about this issue, raising alarms with KDMC authorities since 2022. “Despite our repeated petitions, the matter has been ignored. This demonstrates the unchecked power of the land mafia and corruption within the civic body,” Navsagre stated.

The illegal construction on Dr. Ambedkar’s family land has stirred widespread outrage. Activists have called for the immediate demolition of the building and legal action against the perpetrators.

KDMC’s ‘I’ Ward Assistant Commissioner, Bharat Pawar, confirmed that a demolition notice for the illegal structure was issued on May 9 with the demolition slated for May 20, 2025. “Despite two attempts to demolish the building, it still stands, allegedly due to a lack of police support,” Pawar said.

The developers behind the unauthorized construction, Tulshiram Kalan and Lalit Mahajan, were served notices demanding legal documents regarding land ownership and construction permits. When the builders failed to comply, the structure was declared illegal. However, the failure to demolish the building has raised serious doubts about the effectiveness of the KDMC in upholding the law.

KDMC additional commissioner Yogesh Godse claimed ignorance. “I am currently unaware of this issue. I will gather all the necessary details, conduct a thorough inquiry, and take appropriate action based on the findings.”