The drivers’ union says the 30-year-old prayer facility used by 2,000 persons daily was removed without notice; the court seeks a response within a week
MUMBAI — The Bombay High Court has advised the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to consider, on humanitarian grounds, whether a temporary place could be allowed for offering prayers near the domestic terminal of Mumbai airport.
A division bench of Justice BP Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla on Friday asked the MMRDA to respond within a week on the request made by the Taxi-Rickshaw, Ola, Uber Men’s Union.
The matter relates to a petition filed by the union challenging the demolition of a temporary prayer shed that had been used for nearly three decades by Muslim drivers and passengers at the airport.
According to the petition, a semi-permanent shed inside the airport premises had served as a place of worship for about 30 years. The union stated that nearly 2,000 people offered prayers there daily. During the holy month of Ramadan, the shed was also used for Sehri and Iftar.
The petition says that when GVK Group took over the operation of the airport from Mumbai International Airport Limited on August 18, 2020, drivers were informed that the prayer space had been shifted to another part of the airport.
Union members claimed that the new location lacked proper facilities. In October 2020, the union wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Chief Executive Officer of GVK Group, stating that basic arrangements were not available and CCTV cameras had not been installed.
“We were not asking for luxury. We only asked for basic facilities and safety,” a union representative said. “Thousands of drivers work long hours at the airport. They need a small, safe place to pray.”
The union stated that in 2024, the shed was moved again, this time to a parking area near a petrol pump. The petition claims that this location also had problems, including issues with the ablution area and the absence of CCTV cameras.
Between January and March 2025, the union wrote several letters to the airport administration and senior officers at the airport police station. However, they allege that no corrective action was taken.
Instead, on April 5, 2025, the temporary shed was demolished.
The union later learnt through a Right to Information (RTI) reply that the demolition followed a complaint by a person identified as Santosh Mishra, who reportedly described the structure as illegal.
The petitioners have told the court that the demolition was carried out without prior notice to the union.
“We were not given any notice. The structure was removed suddenly,” a union office-bearer said. “This is arbitrary and unfair.”
The union also wrote to MMRDA officials, the senior inspector of the airport police station and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, claiming that the action violated the fundamental rights of thousands of people who depended on the facility.
When no response was received, the union approached the high court on January 19 this year.
In its petition, the union has stated that it respects all religions but feels that Muslims have been treated unfairly in this case.
The petition points out that there are two temples within the airport limits that are well-maintained. “We respect all places of worship,” a union member said, “but why is only our shed removed? Why are others allowed to function properly?”
The union has requested the court to direct Adani Airport Holdings Limited, Mumbai International Airport Limited and the concerned state departments either to rebuild the shed at the same place or provide an alternative suitable location.
While hearing the matter, the bench did not pass an immediate order restoring the structure. Instead, it advised the MMRDA to consider the request on humanitarian grounds and inform the court within a week whether temporary permission could be granted.
Legal observers said the court’s advice reflects concern over the rights of working people who spend long hours at the airport.
A lawyer familiar with the case said, “This is about the right to practice one’s religion. The petitioners are not asking for permanent construction. They are asking for a basic temporary arrangement.”
The matter is expected to be heard again after the MMRDA files its response.
For now, thousands of Muslim drivers and passengers who once used the shed are waiting to see whether a temporary place of prayer will be allowed again near one of India’s busiest airports.
