The Delhi High Court on Friday intervened in the planned eviction of hundreds of slum dwellers living near the Prime Minister’s official residence, directing the central government to prove that the proposed relocation site is equipped with essential schools, transport links, and basic amenities.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia ordered authorities to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the educational and infrastructural capacity of Savda Ghevra, near the Tikri border—the site chosen to house 717 displaced families. The matter has been fast-tracked for a summer vacation hearing on June 4.
Security Concerns vs. Basic Human Rights
The legal battle stems from three slum clusters located near Lok Kalyan Marg:
- Bhai Ram Camp
- DID Camp
- Masjid Camp
The central government sought the eviction of these clusters on urgent national security grounds. According to the Centre, the makeshift settlements lie within a protected zone immediately adjacent to an operational Air Force Station. Demolishing the unauthorized structures is deemed critical to strengthening and securing vital defense infrastructure.
While a single-judge bench had previously ruled on May 11 that the residents must vacate the camps within 15 days, the residents appealed the decision. They argued that the relocation site in Savda Ghevra lacks basic necessities, including reliable electricity, proper sanitation, and schools. Earlier this month, the High Court paused any coercive eviction actions against the remaining residents while the appeal is being resolved.
Court Demands Accountability on Education and Transport
During Friday’s hearing, the bench took a firm stance on ensuring the displaced families—particularly children—are not left stranded. The court’s directive requires the government to explicitly detail the number of functional schools and available teachers in the Savda Ghevra area.
While Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma assured the court that there are several nearby schools capable of accommodating the children, the bench insisted on official documentation.
Furthermore, the High Court directed the Centre to outline concrete plans to ensure free travel for the relocated residents to minimize disruption to their daily lives. The court asked for clear arrangements with public transport bodies:
- Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC): The government indicated that the DTC could issue one-year renewable bus passes.
- Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC): Because the Delhi Metro does not operate a free-travel scheme, the Centre proposed a workaround where the Land and Development Office would directly reimburse the DMRC for the residents’ travel costs.
“Cannot Be Thrown to the Wolves”
Representing the displaced families, senior counsel for the appellants strongly criticized the relocation plan, arguing that shifting vulnerable residents to the far outskirts near the Tikri border isolates them from their livelihoods. The counsel argued that residents “cannot be thrown to the wolves” and urged the court to mandate a relocation site within a $5\text{-kilometer}$ radius of their current homes.
“Consider that also,” Chief Justice Upadhyaya instructed the Centre, pushing the government to explore closer alternatives.
With the next hearing scheduled for June 4, the central government must now quickly compile its guarantees on education, transportation, and utility access to satisfy the court’s conditions before any further eviction steps can proceed.
