The report, a copy of which is with the Newsline, states that the forest department had planned to demolish the ashram in the Tungareshwar sanctuary, off Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, in an operation scheduled from May 26 to 29. It further alleged that they were unable to do so because of the lack of support from the Thane (Rural) police.

According to the forest official, some part of the sanctuary has allegedly been encroached upon by the ashram. Last month, six forest officials, including ACF Vasudeo Patil and Range Forest Officer (RFO) Sanjay Darade were allegedly assaulted by the ashram office-bearers when they had gone to demolish it.

Following the attack, Darade and Patil were admitted to a hospital. “Despite this, no strict action was taken against the assaulters. We were like mere spectators,” lamented a senior forest official.

The report further states that police officials feared that there could be communal tensions if the ashram was razed.

Forest officials said the ashram’s plea for regularisation was rejected twice by the Central government.

The police, however, deny these allegations. “I have never said ‘no’ to the forest department. My concern is the law and order situation in the area. Since it’s a religious issue, we have to deal with it in a proper way,” said Superintendent of Police (Thane Rural) Naval Bajaj.