PIMPRI-CHINCHWAD — A church in Kalewadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, was demolished during an overnight civic operation on September 7, while church members questioned the timing of the action and the status of an ongoing legal dispute with the municipal corporation.
The Jesus Is Lord Church in Rajwade Nagar was among structures removed during a Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation operation against alleged unauthorised construction.
The civic body said around 7,400 square feet of structures were demolished during the operation. Church members said they learnt during the night that demolition machinery had arrived and rushed to the site. They alleged that three JCB machines and a large police presence were deployed when they reached the area.
One church member, Rose, said the congregation had informed officials about a court order and an upcoming hearing. Members also alleged that they were pushed away from the site and prevented from recording the demolition.
Another member, Sam, said around 20 to 25 people gathered and prayed after learning that the structure was going to be demolished.Church members said they tried to remove furniture and other belongings from the building but could not take everything out before the demolition began.
The church’s legal dispute with the PCMC dates back to February 2026. Jesus Is Lord Church Trust, represented by its president Paul David Silvey, filed a case against municipal officials over the matter.
The court record shows an interim order dated February 24, followed by further proceedings through July 3. The case remains pending. However, the publicly available case record does not show the full text of the February interim order. It therefore does not establish whether any stay covering the church structure remained in force on September 7.
The PCMC said the demolition involved its encroachment and engineering departments, 11 Poclain machines, five JCBs, 25 manual workers and security personnel.
The civic body maintained that the structures removed during the operation were unauthorised.
Church members have sought clarification over the demolition, the notices issued before the action and the legal position concerning the property.
