Supreme Court Clears Way for Demolition: All Stay Orders on Chandni Chowk Illegal Constructions to End Dec 31
Supreme Court vacated all stay orders from December 31 on demolitions in Chandni Chowk, directing MCD and Delhi Police to act against illegal constructions and land use changes
SC said that any party aggrieved by the order may approach the Apex court before the deadline
The Supreme Court on Monday directed that all stay orders issued by the Delhi High Court and the MCD appellate tribunal against the demolition of unauthorised constructions in Chandni Chowk will stand vacated from December 31, 2025.
The Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said that any party aggrieved by the order may approach the Apex court before the deadline.
The Court also directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to extend logistical support to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in removing illegal structures.
The Bench noted that numerous interim stay orders had stalled action against rampant unauthorised constructions in the heritage area. It also asked Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya to look into the long-vacant post of presiding officer at the MCD appellate tribunal.
Clarifying the scope of the case, the Court said the order pertains specifically to unauthorised changes of land use and the conversion of residential properties into commercial establishments in Chandni Chowk.
The matter will be heard again in two weeks.
Court had thus ordered the Commissioner of Police to deploy a police team for patrolling in the area and ensure that all the demolition orders passed by the MCD, over which courts have not granted any stay, are meticulously complied with.
The Bench had also dealt with the case of an elderly woman residing on the ground floor of a residential property, wherein the second floor of the same property was illegally converted into commercial space by the builder. It pulled up the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for not taking action against the builder concerned.
In May, the Court had directed the Commissioner of Delhi Police to deploy a team in Chandni Chowk to act against persons carrying out illegal construction despite its ban. This was after the court was informed that despite its order staying the construction of commercial complexes and demolition of residential buildings in Fatehpuri area of Chandni Chowk, the unauthorized construction was being carried out.
"It is reported that despite the categorical directions given by us stopping all unauthorized constructions where residential properties are being converted into commercial establishments, those directions are not being faithfully complied with and the individuals are still continuing with construction/alteration/modification in collusion with officials of the MCD. We, accordingly, direct the Commissioner of Police, Delhi to deploy a police team to inspect the sites and wherever it is found that unauthorized constructions are still being carried out despite the ban imposed by us, let lawful action be taken against them", the Court had ordered on May 23, 2025.
Case Title: S. Jaitley and Anr. v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Ors.
Hearing Date: September 22, 2025
Bench: Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh