Delhi HC Halts Demolition of 11 Properties in Batla House Area
The plea before the High Court challenged the notices issued to the DDA, which had proposed demolition in the Batla House area;
The Delhi High Court has recently stayed the demolition of 11 properties in the Batla House area while dealing with a plea filed by residents challenging the demolition notices issued by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
Issuing notice to the DDA, a single-judge bench presided over by Justice Tejas Karia has granted an interim stay and sought its response.
It is to be noted that eleven residents have received this relief. Among them are two petitioners whose properties lie within Khasra No. 279 — the area specifically targeted for demolition.
The bench has granted the stay on the condition that the petitioners file an affidavit agreeing to withdraw any related petitions pending before the Supreme Court.
Earlier in June, the DDA had issued demolition notices for properties pursuant to a Supreme Court direction to remove unauthorised structures in Khasra No. 279.
However, the petitioners argued before the high court that they were not given an opportunity to be heard and had received no formal notices.
The matter will now be heard on July 10.
Recently, the Delhi High Court dismissed as withdrawn a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan challenging the proposed demolition in Batla House, observing that a general protection order in such a plea could prejudice individual cases.
A division bench of Justice Girish Kathpalia and Justice Tejas Karia refused to grant relief, adding that affected residents may approach the court individually.
Appearing for Khan, senior advocate Salman Khurshid had sought permission to withdraw the PIL. The court, therefore, allowed the petitioner to withdraw the PIL. “Accordingly, the petition is dismissed as withdrawn,” the bench said.
In its order, the court said the petitioner may inform local residents of Batla House of their right to initiate appropriate legal proceedings within three working days.
In the last hearing, the court had refused to grant an immediate stay on the demolition. Senior advocate Salman Khurshid, appearing for Khan, had sought an urgent stay, pointing out that the demolition was scheduled for June 11.