Mumbai: Nearly three months after the demolition of an unauthorised Jain temple in Vile Parle (East), K-East ward’s shunted assistant municipal commissioner, Navnath Ghadge, was finally promoted on Monday as deputy chief engineer (civil). The move followed the Bombay High Court’s (HC) ruling upholding the legality of the demolition.
Controversial demolition sparked protests from Jain community
Following a city civil court order, the BMC's K/East ward team demolished the 90-year-old 1008 Parshvanath Digambar Jain Temple in Vile Parle’s Kambli Wadi on April 16. The action sparked protests from the Jain community, leading the BMC to remove Ghadge from his post.
Engineers’ Union demands dignity and reinstatement post HC ruling
However, the HC on July 9 upheld the demolition as legal. In light of the ruling, the BMC Engineers’ Union has urged the Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to approve Ghadge’s pending promotion, calling his transfer unjust and seeking to restore his professional dignity.
BMC cites protocol breach but clears promotion under service rules
Ghadge, who was serving as an Executive Engineer, was officially promoted to Deputy Chief Engineer (Civil) on July 21. A senior civic official clarified, “The transfer was due to Ghadge's failure to inform his seniors prior to the demolition. The demolition was carried out in undue haste. However, since his promotion was already due, it was processed as per rules.” The union maintains that with the court upholding the legality of the demolition, Ghadge’s reinstatement and recognition were warranted.
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