BJP Leader’s Complaint Leads to Order to Cut Water Supply to Mumbai Airport Mosque

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered the disconnection of the water supply to a mosque near Terminal 2 of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, based on a complaint by BJP leader and former Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya.

Mr. Somaiya alleged that the mosque’s water connection was unauthorised and amounted to water theft. He also alleged that the structure had been built on airport land without the required permission.
In a complaint submitted to the airport’s executive engineer on September 17, the BMC said water was being supplied to the mosque through a 15-mm-diameter pipe.
The complaint stated, “Water is being supplied to the mosque through a 15-mm-diameter pipe. However, according to the records of this office, it is not included.”

The municipal authority asked the airport authorities either to submit approval for the water connection or disconnect it if the connection was found to be unauthorised. The authorities were given seven days to comply.
The BMC warned that failure to comply with the directive could lead to further legal action under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act.

Mr. Somaiya Seeks High-Level Probe into Mosque
In another letter to Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Vipan Kumar, Mr. Somaiya alleged that officials of GVK or Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) had fraudulently transferred around 5,000 square feet of AAI land and a 3,000-square-foot mosque-like structure to an employee.
Mr. Somaiya demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and the registration of an FIR. He also alleged that the mosque had been illegally constructed on airport land and used the term “land jihad” to describe the entire matter.
Mr. Somaiya said he would approach Sahar police over allegations of land grabbing and illegal construction involving the mosque and an employee of Mumbai International Airport Limited.
However, the allegations could not be independently verified by any independent source.

MMRDA Directs Police to Investigate
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has directed Sahar police to investigate the allegations of an unauthorised religious structure on AAI land and submit a report quickly.
The MMRDA identified the structure as an unauthorised religious construction and said that the airport’s Interim Development Plan does not designate any place for public worship.
The latest action follows a complaint filed by Mr. Somaiya on September 8, demanding the removal of the mosque near Terminal 2. Through the authorities’ investigation, it is expected that the actual legal status of the land, the construction and the validity of the water connection will become clear.