SC halts demolition of illegal construction in North Delhi for 2 weeks

New Delhi, Apr 21: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and others on a plea against the demolition drive in Jahangirpuri.

 

 

 

An apex court bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai issued notice to the Centre and others on the plea filed by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind that claimed that buildings of Muslim riots accused are being razed, PTI reported.

 

 

 

“Status quo to be maintained till further order...List after two weeks and pleadings to be completed till then,” the court said. The apex court also said that it will take a serious view of the demolition on Wednesday, which was carried out even after its orders though the NDMC Mayor was informed. Asking the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and others to file reply on the plea, the apex court said the status quo has to be maintained. The apex court was hearing a plea against the demolition drive in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area.

 

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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said both pleas are of the Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, adding the allegation that one community is targeted is incorrect. “We will follow the orders of the Supreme Court. Any action will be taken after the court orders,” said North Delhi Mayor, Raja Iqbal Singh, as saying on the Jahangirpuri demolition drive

“The Supreme Court has asked that the status quo be maintained for another two weeks,” he added. The civic body had earlier termed it a routine exercise in which around a two-kilometer stretch was cleared from encroachments.

The action against the encroachment being carried out by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation in the Jahangirpuri area was stopped after 12.30 p.m. earlier on Wednesday.

 

 

 

This came following an order of the apex court. The NDMC has stopped action against encroachment in the Jahangirpuri area, as there has been an order from the court to maintain the status quo. “About two kilometers of road near Kushal cinema were cleared from encroachment. As many as 25 items were seized and 20 tonnes of garbage was lifted. The encroachment was removed by the licensing department, engineering department, enforcement cell and health department of Civil Lines as a joint team,” the civic body said in a statement earlier. Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Deependra Pathak, had earlier said that the anti-encroachment operation has been stopped in Jahangirpuri area. At the same time, a large number of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to deal with any untoward situation.