Hearing publlic interest on the litigation by NGO representyative Janhit Manch on condition of caves, a division bench of chief justice Kshitij Vyas and Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud led to the order to ban all construction and mining activities within a 300 meters buffer zone around the caves at Jogeshwari, Mahakali (Komdvita), Mandapeshwar and Kanheri.

The caves date back to periods ranging from 1st century BC to 6 th century AD. The Judge have directed the Director of Archealogocal Survey of India to post an adequate number of security guards at the four caves with in two weeks.

The caves in Andheri East date from 1st century BC when Buddhist carved out a prayer hall on hill near the village Kondivita. The Largest caves has seven carving depicting the Buddha as wel as other figure from Buddhist legends. There is also a stupa in an inner chamber within this cave.