Two Hawkers Booked for Allegedly Assaulting BMC Officials in Santacruz Anti-Encroachment Drive
Mumbai: In the latest clash during a civic crackdown on unauthorised street vending, two hawkers have been booked by police after Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials were allegedly assaulted outside Santacruz railway station.
The incident unfolded on March 18, less than two weeks after a similar attack on civic staff in Kandivali. According to a complaint lodged by Laxman Muthe, licence inspector from the H West ward, the team arrived at the Santacruz West station area around 7:30 am to seize goods from unauthorised hawkers as part of a routine anti-encroachment operation. As officials loaded confiscated items onto a tempo, two individuals—identified as Ikram Merchant, 36, and Shoaib Sayyed, 24—along with two to three associates, reportedly intervened.
Muthe alleged that Merchant argued aggressively with the team, created a public disturbance, pushed the officials, hurled abuses, issued threats, and attempted to prevent the seizure of goods. The inspector described the actions as deliberate obstruction of government duty and sought police intervention.
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An FIR was registered on March 19 at Santacruz police station against Merchant and Sayyed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and 3(5) (common intention). Police have issued notices to the accused, requiring them to appear for questioning on March 21.
Both hawkers spoke to Hindustan Times, denying assault allegations. Merchant, admitting he was unauthorised, claimed the drive unfairly targeted those who refused to pay bribes to officials, insisting his resistance was a response to one-sided action. Sayyed echoed similar sentiments, asserting they fought for their livelihood rather than submit to demands for hefty bribes.
Muthe rejected the bribery accusations, stating the operation followed specific complaints received that day and formed part of standard enforcement in the ward, with similar drives set to continue.
The episode follows a March 6 incident in Kandivali East near Lokhandwala Circle, where BMC R-S ward officials faced stone-pelting, abuse, and assault from hawkers and locals during an eviction drive. A JCB driver was chased, and staff sought refuge in a shop. Samata Nagar police later arrested 11 individuals, including a minor, after reviewing CCTV footage.
Authorities continue to emphasise enforcement against illegal encroachments amid recurring confrontations in Mumbai’s busy areas.