Bombay High Court Rebukes Mumbai Police for Delayed Action on Historic Ambedkar Printing Press Demolition

The Bombay High Court recently criticized the Mumbai Police for its "thoughtless" response to the 2016 demolition of a historic printing press established by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in Dadar. The structure, known as Buddha Bhushan Printing Press, was demolished in the early hours of June 25, 2016, by a crowd of 400–500 people. A division bench comprising Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata expressed deep concern over the police’s failure to act despite a complaint filed by Ambedkar’s grandson, Anand Ambedkar, on the same day.

The court found the police affidavit—filed by a zonal Assistant Commissioner of Police—unacceptable, noting it attempted to justify inaction rather than acknowledge lapses. The bench emphasized that demolitions between midnight and 7 a.m. are rare and likely illegal, and the police should have intervened immediately. Instead, officers failed to respond promptly, raising serious questions about their conduct and accountability.

The judges ordered the Commissioner of Police to personally review the investigation, disclose the names of officers on duty at Bhoiwada Police Station during the incident, and clarify whether intelligence reports had warned of the mob gathering. They also directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to confirm if demolition permission was granted and whether such overnight demolitions are permitted in Mumbai.

The matter was adjourned for further hearing on June 15. The case, *Prakash Y Ambedkar vs Vijay Balkrishna Ranpise* (Writ Petition 1782 of 2017), underscores concerns about the destruction of a key symbol of Dalit heritage and the alleged complicity or negligence of authorities in allowing it to occur.