Mumbai: BMC Officials Assaulted During Anti-Encroachment Action in Santacruz

A case of assault on a civic official has come to light during an ongoing crackdown against illegal hawkers in the city. A BMC license inspector and his team were allegedly attacked while taking action against unauthorised street vendors in Santacruz. The Santacruz Police have registered an FIR and initiated an investigation into the incident.

According to police sources, Laxman Sawaleram Muthe (44) is posted as a License Inspector in the H-West Ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). On March 18, 2026, he reported for duty at the Khar office around 2 pm. During the day, senior officer Pramod Tarte received complaints about illegal hawkers operating on Santacruz Railway Station Road, following which Muthe was instructed to take action along with a team.

At around 7:30 pm, Muthe, along with his team including contract workers Sushil Shinde and Ashok Wadekar, reached the junction of Santacruz Station Road and Hasanabad Lane. The team found several hawkers illegally selling clothes on the road and footpath. Acting as per procedure, they began seizing the goods and loading them into a tempo.

During the operation, two individuals identified as Mohammad Ikram Sajid Merchant and Shoaib allegedly objected to the action and created a ruckus. They reportedly pushed Muthe and his colleague Sushil Shinde, used abusive language, and issued death threats. The situation turned tense for a brief period at the spot.

Following the incident, Muthe lodged a complaint against the accused for obstructing government duty, assault, criminal intimidation, and misconduct. The Santacruz Police have registered a case and launched a search to trace the accused.