Bombay High Court’s Interim Order in 20-Storey Building Case Near INS Shikra

Mumbai, February 21, 2026: The Bombay High Court on Friday delivered an interim order in the controversial 20-storey building case near INS Shikra, South Mumbai’s largest naval air station.

In its observations, the court remarked that, prima facie, the construction of the high-rise structure appeared to be the result of a possible “intelligence failure” on the part of the Navy.

No Immediate Stay, Construction at Developer’s Risk

The high-rise project, identified as Jadhavji Mansion, is located within 500 meters of the naval air station. The Navy had filed a petition through a commanding officer seeking an immediate halt to construction, citing security concerns. It was argued that the developer did not possess the required No Objection Certificate (NOC).

However, the High Court declined to impose an immediate blanket stay on the project. Instead, it directed that any construction beyond the 15th floor would proceed strictly at the developer’s own risk and consequences until the final disposal of the petition.

The bench expressed surprise over how the structure had gradually risen from ground level to 19 floors without earlier intervention.

Temporary Restriction Linked to VVIP Movement

The court clarified that its earlier order restraining workers from entering the construction site between February 16 and 18 was issued solely due to information regarding VVIP movement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Mumbai on February 17.

The bench noted that it did not intend to continue such restrictions beyond the specific security context.

Matter Pending Final Adjudication

While refraining from stopping the construction entirely, the High Court emphasized that further development above the 15th floor would be subject to the outcome of the final hearing. The interim order keeps the matter open, with broader questions concerning security clearance, regulatory compliance, and accountability yet to be conclusively addressed.

The case has sparked debate over coordination between civic authorities and defense establishments in high-security zones, particularly in densely populated urban areas like South Mumbai.