The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay High Court that no residential premises at Vishalgad Fort in Kolhapur district have been demolished this month, despite the site becoming a hotspot for violent protests associated with the Maratha empire.

The Kolhapur Police, in an affidavit, cited heavy rains and low visibility as challenges in taking appropriate action against those involved in the violence and vandalism at the fort on July 14.

Five FIRs have been filed against over 100 individuals, including former MP Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje and activists Ravindra Padwal and Banda Salunkhe, for their alleged roles in the protest. The affidavit was submitted to a bench of Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla, which was hearing complaints from locals who claimed the authorities demolished several residential premises at the fort despite prohibitory orders.

The locals also accused the police of failing to control the mobs that allegedly ransacked their houses. Advocate General Birendra Saraf assured the bench that, in line with a government circular, no residential premises had been demolished during the monsoon season. However, the petitioners' advocate, S B Talekar, contended that some houses were indeed demolished, prompting the bench to direct Talekar to file an affidavit.

"There were heavy rains on July 14 as a result of which fog was formed. There was low visibility and it was difficult for authorities to take appropriate action. Still under this precarious condition, these authorities were doing their best to prevent the unwanted law and order situation," the affidavit claimed.

"On account of heavy rains, fog and low visibility, somehow few people managed to enter Gajapur village and caused destruction of some properties," it added.

Previously, the bench requested details from the police on the actions taken against the protesters. The police affidavit confirmed the filing of FIRs and ongoing investigations, emphasizing that all necessary measures were taken to prevent untoward incidents, including setting up checkpoints to stop groups from marching towards the fort.

The Directorate of Archaeology clarified in its affidavit that only commercial structures not protected by any order had been demolished. The petitioners alleged that right-wing activists defied prohibitory orders issued by the tehsildar of Shahuwadi, banning assembly at the fort, and that police inaction allowed chaos to prevail for almost two hours.

In 2023, the Archaeology Department had issued demolition notices to several residents, leading the petitioners to seek court intervention, arguing that the fort area was declared a protected monument only in 1999, while they had been residing there long before that. The high court had stayed the demolition notices in February 2023, prohibiting coercive actions against the petitioners.

The anti-encroachment drive at Vishalgad Fort on July 14 turned violent, with a mob hurling stones at police and damaging properties. Vishalgad Fort is historically significant as it served as a refuge for warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after he escaped from Panhala Fort in 1660.