New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Thursday extended status quo on demolitions in Jahangirpuri until its further orders. The petitions relating to demolitions shall be heard again after two weeks. The Bench observed that carrying out demolition despite court orders is being viewed with grave concern. The municipal corporations should submit affidavit in explanation, said the apex court.
Evictions carried out at the conflict zone on the day of Hanuman Jayanti was unconstitutional, said appeal lawyer.
Lawyer appearing for Polit Bureau Brinda Karat said the corporation should pay compensation to residents whose structures were bulldozed. Despite asking to halt demolitions, the municipal crew went ahead with it till 12.45 pm, the lawyer told the court.
Brinda Karat had reached the spot in Jahangirpuri yesterday and stopped demolition proceedings after producing copy of the Supreme Court order against demolitions. The west Delhi municipal corporation went about its bulldozing until her arrival and managed to raze down gates and walls of a mosque located there. Targeted for destruction by the corporation are homes and businesses of the minorities.
CPI(M)’s intervention on Tuesday spelt relief for residents after Congress and Aam Admi Party ruling the state stood as mute witnesses to the municipality rampage. In the hearing today, Justice Rao asked if it was a matter of “national importance” as demolitions were confined to Delhi. Senior Advocate Dave said it was a now a “State Policy” that after any riot, a particular section of the society shall be targeted using bulldozers
In the day, the Supreme Court Bench also issued notice to the Union of India and states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat on another peition filedby jamiat Ulama-Hind against authorities in their respective states resorting to demolition of houses belonging to people accused in crimes.
All petitions are listed for after two weeks.
