More than 40 homes may face bulldozers; Notice to vacate expires on 10 June
NEW DELHI — Several families in the Batla House locality of Jamia Nagar in South Delhi have received a jolt from the Supreme Court as it refused to stop demolition of their hearths and homes on Muradi Road.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) claimed three acres of land on Muradi Road and ordered residents to vacate within 15 days. After this, more than 40 families went to the Supreme Court seeking relief.
The petitioners told the court that their houses were outside the Pradhan Mantri Uday Yojana (PM-UDAY) area and that they had valid documents to prove their ownership. They said the demolition is being done without a proper hearing and violates their fundamental rights. They also claimed they have been living there for years and have not built anything illegal.
However, the Supreme Court did not give any temporary relief. The bench, led by Justice Sanjay Karan and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, said the full hearing will take place in July, after the court holidays. This means demolition can happen any day now.
A Supreme Court guideline says a 15-day notice must be given before demolition. DDA pasted notices on 27 May, telling residents to leave by 10 June. The notice warned that if people do not leave, bulldozers will be used.
One resident said, “We are scared because there is no stay from the court. Our homes and shops may be demolished at any time.”
Another resident added, “We have papers to show we live here legally. We just want to be heard.”
With no relief from the Supreme Court, the residents of Batla House now face an uncertain future as the demolition deadline approaches.
