Jahangirpuri demolitions a malafide action at the dictates of BJP: Brinda Karat submits before Supreme Court
Referring to a letter written on April 16, by the President of Bharatiya Janata Party State Committee, the political party which governs the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, CPI (M) member Brinda Karat has submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that,
"... the demotion drive using bulldozers was only a malafide exercise of power targeting particular minority community, under the guise of removal of encroachment is clear from the letter. It was a malafide action at the dictates of the political party which governs the Municipal Corporation."
Last month, Karat had moved the Supreme Court against the anti-encroachment demolition drive at Jahangirpuri. She further sought the directions of the court commanding the authorities to grant compensation to the victims of alleged 'illegal demolition', since the demolition was not stopped despite the status quo order of the court.
In her affidavit, Karat has further submitted that the Municipal authorities and the Police resorted to inhumane and illegal bulldozing and demolition of buildings of poor people of Jahangirpuri Block-C out of sheer malafides under the guise of removal of encroachments.
"It was not a bonafide exercise of power following due process of law, and principles of natural justice..", she has said.
Referring to the letter written by the President of BJP State Committee, to the Mayor of NDMC on 16th April, 2022 stating that on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti some people pelted stones and committed rioting on the procession (Shobha Yatra) in the Jahangirpuri area of Delhi who were protected by the local MLA of Aam Admi Party and Municipal councilor because of which they have encroached and made illegal constructions, Karat has stated that,
"... the mayor was instructed that strict action should be taken against ‘the alleged rioters’ and their buildings should be demolished by the use of bulldozers at the earliest."
The CPI(M) member has further alleged that local people approached the municipal authorities, being aware of the order of status quo as granted by Supreme Court, but the authorities and the police refused to heed the request and continued irresponsible and illegal indiscriminate demolition.
Karat has also stated that the illegal demolition of the buildings of poor people of C- Block of Jahangir Puri was carried out without prior notice as required under the statute and without giving reasonable time to show cause against demolition.
" They were not given an opportunity to show that they have not encroached upon any public space and or their buildings are not
unauthorized illegal construction and that they have been in occupation of the buildings for eking out their livelihood for around 40 years.." Karat has submitted.
On April 21, Supreme Court bench comprising Justice L. Nageswara Rao & Justice BR Gavai had ordered continuation of the status quo on demolitions with respect to Jahangirpuri.
Jamie Ulama-I-Hind had also filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court against bulldozers being employed to raze the homes of persons allegedly involved in acts of violence.
Case title: Brinda Karat vs. North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Ors.