Mumbai group launches helpline for wrongful eviction victims
- A new helpline has been set up in Mumbai for those facing wrongful eviction.
- The initiative is run by a collective of lawyers, activists, and former tenants.
- They provide free legal advice, documentation help, and mediation with landlords.
Helpline for the displaced
A citizens' collective in Mumbai has launched a helpline for tenants and families facing wrongful eviction. The initiative, called 'Right the Wrong', aims to provide legal support and mediation to those who have been illegally pushed out of their homes.
The helpline number went live earlier this week. Organisers said they have already received over 40 calls from across the city, mostly from families in the western suburbs.
Who is behind the effort
The group is a mix of lawyers, housing activists, and former tenants who have themselves faced eviction. They meet twice a week at a community centre in Andheri to review cases and assign volunteers.
One of the coordinators, a lawyer who did not want to be named, said the idea came from a shared frustration with the slow court system. 'People lose their homes while cases drag on for years. We want to step in before that happens.'
What the helpline offers
The service is free. Callers get advice on their legal rights, help with paperwork, and, in some cases, direct mediation with landlords or builders. The group also maintains a list of pro-bono lawyers willing to take on eviction cases.
Volunteers said many tenants do not have written agreements. The collective helps them gather evidence — rent receipts, electricity bills, neighbour statements — to build a case.
One case they took up
Last week, the group intervened in a dispute in Malad. A family of five had been given 48 hours to vacate a flat they had rented for 12 years. The landlord claimed he needed the property for personal use.
Volunteers helped the family file a police complaint and sent a legal notice to the landlord. The eviction was paused. The family now has two months to find a new place or challenge the notice in court.
Organisers said such cases are common. They are now compiling a database of similar incidents across Mumbai to share with civic authorities.
What comes next
The group plans to expand the helpline to other parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in the coming months. They are also training more volunteers to handle calls in Marathi and Hindi.