The Allahabad High Court has directed the state authorities to maintain status quo regarding the proposed demolition of residential structures in Varanasi’s Dalmandi area, which are allegedly set to be razed as part of a road-widening initiative.
A division bench comprising Justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Anish Kumar Gupta issued the interim order while hearing a petition filed by Shahnawaz Khan and other residents, who claimed their homes were at imminent risk of demolition without due acquisition by the authorities.
The court scheduled the next hearing for May 20 and granted the state government’s counsel one week to seek a response from the concerned authorities.
The petitioners argued that the state officials have threatened to demolish their homes without following the lawful process of land acquisition. “The constructions of the petitioners are under threat without any acquisition procedure being undertaken for the proposed road widening,” their counsel submitted.
In its May 9 order, the court stated, “In the meantime, having regard to the submission that there is imminent threat of construction being demolished without the same having been acquired, we direct the parties to maintain status quo till the next date.”
According to the petitioners, approximately 189 houses in the Dalmandi locality fall within the scope of the widening project. These structures will now remain protected under the interim relief granted by the court.
It was further submitted that the Varanasi district administration is currently preparing a report on compensation for the affected houses. The counsel informed the court that since the Dalmandi redevelopment project exceeds ₹100 crore in value, it requires cabinet approval. The district magistrate’s report will be sent to the state government for further action.
The road widening project aims to expand the Dalmandi road by 17 meters (56 feet), connecting the new road to Chowk, to facilitate easier access for pilgrims and visitors to the historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple. However, the proposed expansion directly affects the residences of about 189 families.
The matter will now be taken up for further hearing on May 20.
