The Gujarat High Court has disposed of a petition filed by a Surat resident seeking protection against the demolition of his residential property, following assurances from the Surat Municipal Corporation that no action would be taken without prior notice and strict adherence to legal procedures.
Court Records Civic Undertaking
Justice Nikhil Kariel closed the proceedings after the civic body formally stated that it has no immediate plans to demolish the structure. The court directed municipal authorities to follow statutory protocols if any coercive steps are initiated against the property in the future, noting that no further judicial directions were required in light of the official undertaking.
Apprehension Following Slum Clearance
The petition was filed by Shaikh Husain Ajij, represented by advocate Zamir Shaikh. The petitioner approached the court out of concern that his residence would be razed next, following the municipal corporation’s demolition of the adjoining Nasirnagar slum on May 30.
Appearing for the civic body, advocate Anuj Trivedi informed the court that the broader controversy surrounding the demolition drive was already under consideration in a separate proceeding. He confirmed that municipal authorities have no present intention to demolish the petitioner’s home and pledged that appropriate notice and legal procedures would be followed should any action be contemplated down the line.
Broader Legal Challenge And State Inquiry
The May 30 clearance drive in Nasirnagar triggered widespread controversy and led to parallel litigation before the High Court. Twenty-six affected residents filed separate petitions before Justice Kariel’s bench, alleging that the municipality destroyed their homes without following due process.
During hearings on those petitions, the court raised concerns regarding official accountability and the legality of the demolition drive, which subsequently led the Gujarat state government to institute a high-level inquiry into the matter.
