Batla House Demolitions: Delhi HC to Hear AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s Plea on June 11

While refusing to grant an immediate stay on the demolition, the Delhi High Court has posted the matter concerning alleged illegal constructions in the Batla House area for further hearing on June 11

A Division Bench of Justice Girish Kathpalia and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing a PIL filed by AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, challenging the demolition drive proposed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

Appearing for Khan, senior advocate Salman Khurshid sought an urgent stay, pointing out that the demolition was scheduled for June 11.

The DDA, however, argued that Khan was neither a party to the earlier proceedings nor an affected individual. It also submitted that the Supreme Court had already refused interim protection to similarly placed persons.

The top court, on May 7, 2025, passed an order permitting the demolition of illegal constructions in the area.

The Division Bench noted that earlier in the day, Justice Tejas Karia, while sitting as a single judge, had granted interim protection to some residents similarly situated to those represented in the present petition.

While referring to a single judge's order of June 4, the court observed that the single judge had granted interim status quo to some residents and had directed DDA to file its response within four weeks.

Therefore, the court said that it has to deal with two issues. The first issue pertains to whether the division bench can continue hearing the petition, as one of the judges had earlier heard similar petitions and granted relief.

"Secondly, learned counsel for the respondents appearing on advance intimation contends that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has already declined protection to the allegedly affected parties and this being a Public Interest Litigation, no stay order can be passed because that would require examination of individual cases," the court added.

Accordingly, the court posted the matter for further hearing on June 11.

Case Title: Amanatullah Khan v. Delhi Development Authority