Tughlaqabad Encroachment Drive: SC Refuses To Stay Demolition, But Agrees To Hear Rehabilitation Issue Tomorrow

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the demolition drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in Delhi’s Tughlaqabad on Sunday.

However, the court stated that it will hear the issue of rehabilitation faced by Tughlaqabad residents tomorrow i.e., on Tuesday.

In addition, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh sought responses from the Central government, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Delhi Development Authority in the matter.

“List tomorrow. Let notices be served on the Central government, ASI and the DDA. We are not staying,” the bench directed.

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves brought the case before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud this morning, who then asked the petitioners to bring the case before Justice Khanna’s bench.

Advocate Gonsalves then informed Justice Khanna’s bench that areas surrounding the Tuglaqabad Fort had been ordered cleared many years ago, and the Delhi government had offered alternate rehabilitation to the residents. However, he stated that relocation has not yet occurred.

The bench remarked that there was a lot of unauthorised encroachment in the area.

It was also observed that under the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, it was now difficult to acquire so much land due to the amount of compensation needed.

“It might be impossible to give so much land. And the amount of compensation needed under the 2013 act, it is now very difficult to acquire so much”, the bench stated.

Appearing for the Delhi government, Advocate Shadan Farasat sought time stating the process of relocation had already started.

However, the bench scheduled the case for further hearing tomorrow.