Despite being provided with police protection, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has once again failed to take possession of its ground at Ghatkopar (East), on Friday. The Acharya Atre ground is occupied by an ashram of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya a spiritual organisation for more than 10 years.

Despite being provided with police protection, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has once again failed to take possession of its ground at Ghatkopar (East), on Friday. The Acharya Atre ground is occupied by an ashram of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya a spiritual organisation for more than 10 years.

As per the documents obtained from BMC, the N ward of the civic body had been instructed to take possession of the ground since the ashram has carried out several illegal constructions, made alterations to the existing building on it and had not paid water bills and other dues for several years. A few months ago, the ward had issued a show cause notice to the organisation for the unauthorised constructions.

According to sources, the BMC succumbed to the pressure from political leaders in the area and failed to take possession of the ground.

NCP corporator Rakhi Jadhav, who has been fighting for the issue for was disappointed over the development. "Ward officials only told us that the organisation has approached the court because of which no action was taken. But the court has not yet given them a stay order; so, what's preventing them to take action," asked Jadhav.

She added, "The ashram doors were locked. The BMC should have put its locks too on the doors. But the officials failed to act, despite having police protection." A few weeks ago, the civic authorities had asked the organisation to vacate the plot and hand over the ground to BMC. On Friday, N ward officials were to take possession over the plot.

The issue came to light last year, when members of the ashram allegedly detained a minor boy after his ball came inside its premises while he was playing at the ground.

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BMC fails to take possession of Ghatkopar ground