Overview

• The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued stop-work notices to the trustees of the Magen David Synagogue in Byculla for conducting repairs without required heritage and civic clearances.
• Community advocate Moshe Shek raised alarms about unauthorized structural alterations, alleging damage to the synagogue’s interior and filing complaints of assault by workers and trustees.
• The Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity Trust, which manages the synagogue, claims the work was limited to emergency waterproofing and structural strengthening ahead of monsoon season but lacked formal permissions.
• Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, previously involved in a restoration proposal for the synagogue, criticized the unauthorized work, emphasizing the need for proper heritage approvals.
• The synagogue, a Grade 2B heritage structure, remains closed for repairs, with weekday services temporarily shifted to the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue until restoration plans are approved and initiated.