{ ENGINEERS’ UNION URGES BMC CHIEF } 'Reinstate officer transferred after Jain temple raze'

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Engineers’ Union (BMEU) has written to Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, demanding the reinstatement and promotion of Navnath Ghadge, the assistant commissioner of K/East ward, who was abruptly transferred following the controversial demolition of a nearly 90-year-old Digambar Jain temple in Vile Parle East earlier this year.

- Linah Baliga

The temple, located within the premises of Neminath Cooperative Housing Society on Nehru Road, was razed on April 16 in compliance with a Bombay High Court directive. The civic body maintained that the temple structure was unauthorised and had been built without approvals in a residential building's open space. Officials involved in the demolition stated that care was taken to preserve the sanctity of the idol and carry out the process respectfully.