The Bombay High Court issues interim relief to Mumbai-based developer Chandiwala Enterprises, restraining Sanjay Nirupam from making defamatory communal remarks related to slum redevelopment.

Temporary Relief to Developer

The Bombay High Court has issued an interim injunction against Sanjay Nirupam, a leader of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and former Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from Mumbai. Nirupam had allegedly made communal remarks defaming Chandiwala Enterprises, a Mumbai-based developer.

The interim order, delivered by Justice R.I. Chagla, came in response to a plea filed by the developer alleging defamation and communal targeting.

Accusations Against the Developer

The dispute arose from the redevelopment of Shree Shankar Society in Malad, Mumbai. Nirupam had claimed in a letter dated 20 February 2025 and in subsequent press conferences that Muslim developers were illegally registering slums in Muslim names with the assistance of Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) officials.

Chandiwala Enterprises argued that these statements were:

• Factually baseless.

• Communal in nature.

• Intended to damage the developer’s reputation and disrupt the redevelopment project.

Court’s Prima Facie Findings

Justice Chagla observed that the allegations were completely false. The Court noted that only 7 out of 67 residents of Shree Shankar Society were Muslim. Therefore, the claim that Muslim developers were involved in a secret campaign, colluding with SRA officials, was prima facie false.

Pre-Trial Conduct of Defendant

The Court highlighted that Nirupam had ignored successive legal notices in the defamation case. Notices sent to his home were reportedly torn and returned, and he failed to respond to communications via email or WhatsApp.

An advocate eventually appeared on Nirupam’s behalf to request time to record a vakalatnama. Based on these facts, the Court held that a prima facie case against Nirupam was established.

Operative Portion of the Order

The interim order stated:

“The Defendant is restrained, by means of temporary injunction, from making or publishing any defamatory, slanderous, or libelous statements as contained in the documents annexed at Exh.A to the Affidavit dated 9th August 2025.”

The Court allowed Nirupam one week to file a vakalatnama and two weeks to submit a formal reply to the defamation suit.

Next Hearing and Legal Representation

The next hearing is scheduled for 10 September 2025.

• Chandiwala Enterprises was represented by Senior Advocate Janak Dwarkades, along with advocates Cherag Balsara, Yogesh Patil, and Sanjeev Singh, instructed by Ritesh Singh.

• Sanjay Nirupam was represented by advocate Mahesh B. Gupte.

The Court’s order emphasizes protection against communal defamation while safeguarding the reputation of developers engaged in Mumbai’s slum redevelopment projects.