In a significant development, the Supreme Court intervened on Monday and directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to temporarily halt the ongoing demolitions in Vishwas Nagar for a period of one week. The court’s decision was made on humanitarian grounds, aiming to provide the residents, many of whom are slum dwellers, with an opportunity to evacuate the premises on their own. Additionally, the court expressed willingness to consider rehabilitation measures for the affected individuals.
Supreme Court Grants Interim Relief, Halting Demolitions in Vishwas Nagar, Facilitating Humanitarian Evacuation Efforts
The matter was brought before a vacation bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Karol, just as the demolition drive was about to commence at 8am on Monday. Taking into account the residents’ right to occupy their dwellings, the bench refrained from interfering with the Delhi Supreme Court’s previous order.
However, considering the humanitarian aspect, the court granted a grace period of seven days for the residents to vacate the premises voluntarily. It was emphasized that if they failed to do so by May 29, the DDA, with the assistance of relevant agencies, would be allowed to resume the demolition activities.)
To ensure immediate implementation, the court instructed the DDA’s counsel, Sunieta Ojha, to communicate the order promptly to the officials on the ground. Ojha informed the Supreme Court that the high court had previously dismissed the residents’ petition on March 14 and ordered the demolitions after thoroughly evaluating their claims. However, the residents sought to revive their claims after a lapse of two months.
The residents of Kasturba Nagar colony in Vishwas Nagar expressed their desire for rehabilitation before being uprooted from their homes. They emphasized that they possessed valid identity documents and had been residing in the area for over 40 years.
Recognizing the significance of rehabilitation, the court issued notices to both the DDA and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, the agency responsible for implementing rehabilitation measures. The petitioners argued that their colony had not been officially classified as a registered slum, which resulted in the authorities refusing to consider their plea for rehabilitation. Responding to their concerns, the bench agreed to hear the case during the second week of July by Supreme Court.
It is noteworthy that the DDA had previously issued notices regarding the demolition drive scheduled from May 22 to 24, in accordance with the high court’s directives. The high court had ordered the DDA to clear a 60-feet road after it was discovered that slum dwellers had erected temporary and permanent structures, obstructing traffic flow in Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s intervention in temporarily halting the demolitions provides a respite to the residents of Vishwas Nagar, granting them a week to make suitable arrangements for their relocation. The consideration of rehabilitation measures reflects the Supreme Court commitment to address the concerns and rights of the affected individuals. The case will continue to be closely monitored, with the second week of July earmarked for further proceedings.
Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Demolitions in Vishwas Nagar, Paving the Way for Humanitarian Evacuation
In a move that brings relief to the residents of Vishwas Nagar, the Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to suspend the ongoing demolitions in the area for a period of one week. The court’s decision, grounded in humanitarian considerations, aims to provide the predominantly slum-dwelling residents with an opportunity to evacuate the premises voluntarily. Furthermore, the court has expressed its willingness to explore rehabilitation options for the affected individuals.
The matter was brought before a vacation bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Karol, just as the demolition drive was set to commence at 8 am on Monday. While the bench refrained from interfering with the Delhi Supreme Court’s previous order regarding the residents’ right to occupy their dwellings, it acknowledged the humanitarian aspect of the situation.
As a result, the court has granted a grace period of seven days, allowing the residents to vacate the premises at their own pace. However, the court has made it clear that if the residents fail to evacuate by May 29, the DDA, with the assistance of relevant agencies, will be authorized to resume the demolition activities.
To ensure prompt implementation of its order, the court directed Sunieta Ojha, the counsel representing the DDA, to immediately communicate the decision to the officials on the ground. Ojha informed the court that the high court had previously dismissed the residents’ petition on March 14, subsequently ordering the demolitions after considering all the claims put forth. However, the residents have now sought to revive their claims, two months after the high court’s ruling.
Residents of Kasturba Nagar colony in Vishwas Nagar have emphasized the need for rehabilitation before being displaced from their homes. They have asserted that they possess valid identity documents and have been residing in the area for over 40 years.
Recognizing the importance of addressing the rehabilitation aspect, the court has issued notices to both the DDA and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, which is responsible for implementing rehabilitation measures. The petitioners have argued that their colony has not been officially categorized as a registered slum, resulting in the authorities refusing to consider their plea for rehabilitation.
In response to these concerns, the bench has agreed to take up the case during the second week of July, indicating a commitment to explore appropriate solutions.
It is worth noting that the DDA had previously issued notices regarding the scheduled demolition drive from May 22 to 24, following the directives of the high court. The high court had ordered the DDA to clear a 60-feet road, as slum dwellers had erected temporary and permanent structures that obstructed the smooth flow of traffic.
The Supreme Court’s intervention in temporarily halting the demolitions provides a much-needed respite to the residents of Vishwas Nagar. The one-week grace period allows them to make necessary arrangements for their relocation, considering the challenging circumstances they face.
The court’s commitment to examining rehabilitation options underscores its dedication to protecting the rights and welfare of the affected individuals. The case will continue to be closely monitored, with further proceedings scheduled for the second week of July.
