Batla House residents fear demolition after twin eviction notices
The residents of Muradi Road in Batla House and the adjacent Khizar Baba Colony are facing the threat of eviction after receiving demolition notices from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Irrigation Department of the Uttar Pradesh government respectively.
A narrow 20-foot road separates the two colonies but places them in different administrative jurisdictions.
Legal pushback
Shoaib Danish, a local leader and former councillor, stated that the community is preparing to challenge the notices in court. 'We are going to approach the Supreme Court against the DDA's notice, and a local court for the U.P. government's notice. People have been living here for 50 years, suddenly they are told to vacate,' said Mr. Danish.
Jameel Ahmed, 60, a long-time resident of Muradi Road, voiced his shock. 'My father bought this land in the 1980s. No one ever said it belonged to the DDA. There were no signboards, no markings, and no prior notice,' he said, holding documents he claims to prove ownership.
The residents are backing their claims with rent deeds, water and electricity bills, and property tax documents.
Disputed ownership
The DDA issued its demolition notice on May 26, citing a Supreme Court order dated May 7. The ruling directs the 'DDA to demolish unauthorised structures in Khasra number 279'. The land is estimated to be around 2.8 bigha (0.702 hectare) along Muradi Road in Okhla village.
The notice allows an exception for homes covered under the Pradhan Mantri – Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY), a central scheme meant to grant legal ownership in unauthorised colonies. Residents not covered by PM-UDAY must vacate within 15 days, with demolition scheduled to begin on June 11.
Separately, the Irrigation Department of Uttar Pradesh issued a similar notice on May 22 for residents of Khizar Baba Colony, affecting approximately 4.5 bigha (1.12 hectare) of land. Red crosses were painted on several buildings in Khasra number 277, and residents were told to remove illegal structures within 15 days or face demolition.
An official from the Irrigation Department's Okhla office confirmed that the move was coordinated with the Delhi government and the Lieutenant-Governor's office. 'We will bring bulldozers along with security forces and demolish the unauthorised buildings,' the official said.
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