Mumbai News: Bandra Residents Move Bombay High Court To Save 200-Year-Old 'Miracle Cross' From SRA Project

Mumbai: Residents of Bandra have petitioned the Bombay High Court against the inclusion of a 200-year-old crucifix called the 'Miracle Cross' and its prayer hall and grotto, in a Slum Rehabilitation Authority scheme.

The Miracle Cross Prathanalaya Association, a group representing the devotees, have claimed in their writ petition that the plans are illegal. The petitioners said they received notices issued from the Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai Housing and Area Development Authority and SRA in April and May 2025, information then about the inclusion of the monument in the redevelopment project.

The notices were issued under section 33 and 38 of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance, and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 for hearing the case and demolition of the structure.

The petitioners have said they are seeking an order from the court to declare the cross as a monument of heritage and religious importance. In May, the cross, which is built on a flat rock called ‘patla’ in 1825 by the Christian Kolis, celebrated its 200th anniversary. "The shrine has come to be known as miraculous following reports about cures from diseases after praying there," said Clarence Gomes, president of the association.

The patla cross, as it is also known, was once on the seashore. After land around the cross was reclaimed in the 1970s, it is no longer on the coast. The crucifix is located near the Nargis Dutt Nagar slum, Bandra Reclamation, which is planned to be redeveloped.

Raja Rahebar Khan, former corporator from the area who is representing the petitioners, said, "Our contention is that the cross is located on a standalone plot as an independent structure. The cross is marked on colonial era maps. How can the structure be demolished?".

The petition has been listed for hearing on July 11.

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