The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed the demolition of a slum in the vicinity of Pragati Maidan by the Public Works Department (PWD) and sought a report from the Centre and the Delhi government authorities on the issue.
Justice Prathiba M Singh said the PWD, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and the Railways were “speaking in different voices” on the juggi-jhopdi (JJ) cluster named Janta Camp near gate 1 of Pragati Maidan and directed that a meeting of the authorities concerned be held in order to arrive at a consensus.
The court observed there was no clarity as to whom did the land belong and if the slum cluster was covered under the state government’s 2015 rehabilitation policy.
“It is directed that a meeting be held in the Chief Secretary’s office where all concerned department shall be present. Let a decision be taken and report be placed on record. Until then, no demolition shall take place. Let the meeting be held in the Chief Secretary’s office on February 16,” ordered the court.
The petitioners, the residents of the JJ cluster, claimed it was notified cluster and so the residents ought to be rehabilitated as per the applicable policy before any demolition takes place.
The demolition notice was issued on January 28 by the PWD, the court was informed.
The DUSIB said the land in question belonged to the Railways and it was pursuant to the directions of the Chief Secretary, Delhi government that a decision was taken to shift the slum dwellers to a night shelter.
The Delhi government counsel told the court the minister concerned has already directed that no action will be taken until the due procedure on rehabilitation has been followed.
The Railways said the public sector transport behemoth has not ordered any demolition, and physical verification is required with respect to the status of the land’s ownership.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on February 20.
