The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a notice to the managing authorities of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), directing them to immediately cut the water supply line to the adjoining mosque, saying their connection is illegal.

The civic body’s move comes days after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) asked the airport authorities to remove the “illegal” religious structure.

In its letter to the executive engineer of Mumbai’s airport, the BMC stated that it has no record of the mosque having a legal water connection.

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“Therefore, it is requested to submit a copy of approval of connection granted to the Masjid at T2 airport to the competent authority (BMC) or to disconnect the water supply line within 7 days. Failing which, may deem further action as per the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) act,” the BMC’s notice read.

Earlier, on September 8, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya sought removal of the mosque near Mumbai airport’s Terminal 2. In its complaint letter, Somaiya stated that the mosque was operating without any valid permission at the taxi stand of the Mumbai airport’s international terminal.

Following this, the MMRDA declared it illegal. It also maintained that the Interim Development Plan (IDP) for the airport area has no provision for a public place of worship.

“The MMRDA has already issued a notice to the Mosque asking them to vacate the premises within 4 weeks of it will be demolished. The BMC’s notice also justifies the illegality of the structure. Today, I am also going to launch a complaint with Mumbai Police asking them to launch an immediate demolition drive,” Somaiya told .

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In its statement, the MMRDA also put the onus on Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL).