Former Mumbai mayor Vishakha Raut disqualified for 6 years

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged a political vendetta and questioned the speed with which the civic administration processed the disqualification

Mumbai: Former Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vishakha Raut has been disqualified as a corporator for six years after her Other Backward Classes (OBC) caste certificate was invalidated on August 20.

Former Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vishakha Raut has been disqualified as a corporator for six years after her Other Backward Classes (OBC) caste certificate was invalidated on August 20. (HT Photo)

Mayor Ritu Tawde announced the disqualification on Monday, paving the way for Raut’s rival, the Shiv Sena’s Priya Sarvankar Gurav, to stake a claim to the high-profile ward 191, which covers Shivaji Park and Dadar West. Raut had defeated Sarvankar Gurav, daughter of former MLA Sada Sarvankar, by 197 votes in the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

Following a complaint by Sarvankar Gurav, the Palghar District Caste Scrutiny Committee invalidated Raut’s OBC certificate last month, holding that the officer who had issued it did not have the jurisdiction to do so. Ward 191 was reserved for OBC women candidates in the BMC polls.

Under section 16(1C)(a) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, an elected councillor whose caste certificate is invalidated ceases to hold office from the date of invalidation. The Maharashtra urban development department subsequently issued an order disqualifying Raut for six years from August 20, 2026. Raut challenged the disqualification in the Bombay High Court, but her petition was dismissed.

Raut’s disqualification is a major blow for the Shiv Sena (UBT), which won 65 seats in the BMC elections.