On 11th November (Wednesday), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya charged that “land jihad” is underway in relation to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), which is intended to offer affordable housing to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Lower Income Group (LIG). He wrote that 110 flats located at Mumbai’s Antop Hill have been taken over by Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators.
Somaiya disclosed that applications were filed under the names of Hindus, but the beneficiaries are Muslim intruders from Bangladesh who hold power of attorney. He informed, “I have submitted a complaint with documentary evidence to MHADA & the Minister. Demanded investigation & Action.” Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also serves as the Minister of Housing in the state.
He cited several examples of accommodations originally issued to Hindus being transferred to Bangladeshi infiltrators. An apartment allocated to a man named Avinash Ravidhone was occupied by Mansoori Juned Mohd. Similar incidents involved Ramesh Ghatal, Shyam Rautekar, Manoj Khambe, Shyam Gaikwad, Nirmala Barve, Vinayak Kumbhar, Devidas Mane, Kanhaiya Prasad, Indubai Pawar, and Balu Kadu.
Their respective places were taken over by Shakil Ahmed Sidiqui, Nasreen Ramzan Shaikh, Munira Rizwan, Rizwan Mohd Hussain, Sajid Ali Kadir Abdul Bate, Muzmil Shaikh, Ansari Hafizur, Mohd Jahangir Shaikh, Mohd Siddiqui Shaikh, and Khan Saddam Hussein.
MHADA Land JIHAD Antop Hill Mumbai MHADA’s 110 Flats of Lower Income Group & Economic Backward Section GRABBED by Bangladeshi Muslim Infiltrators Applications were made in the Names of Hindus but Power of Attorney Holders, Beneficiaries are Bangladeshi Muslim Infiltrators I have submitted complaint with documentary evidences to MHADA & Minister. Demanded investigation & Action Few Examples Original Flat Allottee// Bangladeshi Infiltrator 1. Avinash Ravidhone// Mansoori Juned Mohd 2. Ramesh Ghatal// Shakil Ahmed Sidiqui 3. Shyam Rautekar// Nasreen Ramzan Shaikh 4. Manoj Khambe// Munira Rizwan 5. Shyam Gaikwad//. Rizwan Mohd Hussain 6. Nirmala Barve// Sajid Ali Kadir Abdul Bate 7. Vinayak Kumbhar// Muzmil Shaikh 8. Devidas Mane// Ansari Hafizur 9. Kanhaiya Prasad// Mohd Jahangir Shaikh 10. Indubai Pawar// Mohd Siddiqui Shaikh 11. Balu Kadu// Khan Saddam Hussein
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) November 11, 2026
The BJP leader also attached the official complaint, which read, “More than 50 residents of the MHADA LIG/EWS complex in Noorabazar met with me at my office in Neelam Nagar, Mulund (East). They shared several of their grievances. They are deeply distressed due to issues such as encroachment, physical assaults, illegal infiltration, land jihad, benami (proxy/illegal) transactions, and hooliganism.”
He added, “MHADA must conduct an immediate investigation into these matters. It is infuriating to learn how corrupt MHADA officials and agents, in collusion with Bangladeshi infiltrators and certain Muslim individuals, have sabotaged this government project intended for the people of Maharashtra. I will visit the site on Saturday, 14th November, to inspect the situation.”
He also highlighted several concerns, including: Benami (proxy or unauthorised) beneficiaries following the lottery process, large-scale land encroachment or land jihad, stating that the 41 units are occupied by infiltrators, specifically Bangladeshi Muslim individuals, instead of the legitimate beneficiaries in Swapnapurti Society.
Somaiya mentioned that the presence of these elements in the nearby Bengalipura area had fostered an atmosphere of fear and incursions. He conveyed that a scam involving “Power of Attorney” holders and “benami” beneficiaries is underway and facilitated by the collusion of MHADA officials.
He also included a list of the same as supporting evidence, reiterating his intention to conduct an on-site inspection and requested that the relevant MHADA officials, municipal authorities, and police personnel be present at the time.
