Supreme Court agrees to hear plea against Okhla's Jamia Nagar demolitions

The Supreme Court today has agreed to hear next week a plea filed by Jamia Nagar residents challenging the demolition notice issued to them over allegedly illegal properties encroaching on land belonging to the Uttar Pradesh government.

A Chief Justice of India led bench told the petitioners before it to approach the concerned high court.

Later court agreed to hear the pleas next week.

On May 8, the Supreme Court had asked Delhi Development Authority to carry out demolition of unauthorised structures in Okhla village in accordance with the law. The DDA was asked to send a notice 15 days prior to carrying out of demolitions.

The petitioner challenged the assertion that these properties are encroachments on public land.

Notably, in November 2024 Supreme Court had laid down strict guidelines on bulldozer action. Justice BR Gavai had then said, "Such acts of the executive have to be dealt with heavy hand of the law." Top Court further held that an authority cannot be permitted to take away the shelter of an entire family only on the ground that one person residing in the house is accused of a crime.