The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear next week a petition challenging the demolition notices issued to several properties in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar area, where authorities have alleged encroachments on land belonging to the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih initially directed the petitioner’s counsel to approach the Delhi High Court for relief. “Go to the high court,” the CJI remarked during the brief hearing.
However, the counsel argued that the matter warranted urgent intervention as the notices issued by the civic authorities were pasted without any prior hearing or detailed communication. “There was an order of this court that a 15-day prior notice was needed,” the lawyer submitted, adding, “But here, a notice was pasted on May 26 asking us to evict, without a hearing.”
Taking note of the submissions, the bench agreed to list the matter for hearing next week.
The demolition notices, dated May 22, were issued to several residential and commercial properties in Okhla’s Khizerbaba Colony. The notices cited alleged encroachment on land under the jurisdiction of the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Control Department and directed occupants to vacate within 15 days.
“Everyone is informed that encroachment has been done in Okhla, Khizerbaba Colony, belonging to the Irrigation Control Department of Uttar Pradesh. The houses and shops on this land are illegal and should be removed in the next 15 days,” the notices stated.
The issuance of the notices comes in the wake of a May 8 Supreme Court directive, wherein the court asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to proceed with the demolition of unauthorised structures in Okhla village in accordance with legal procedures.
The upcoming hearing is expected to weigh the legality of the demolition notices and the due process followed by the authorities before initiating such actions.
