29-05-2025
Batla House residents move Supreme Court against eviction, demolition notices
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to list next week a petition filed by residents and property owners of Khasra Nos. 271 and 279 in Batla House, who have received eviction and demolition notices from matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, which questioned why the petitioners had not first approached the High bench expressed its disinclination to entertain the plea, noting that it cannot sit in appeal over directions issued by another bench of the Supreme Court.
However, the petitioners' counsel urged the Court to list the matter, stating that appropriate directions could be issued accordingly. The counsel also submitted that the required 15-day prior notice was not served and no opportunity of hearing was granted to the affected applicants, representing a group of affected residents, have argued that their properties, although now being targeted for demolition for allegedly falling outside the PM-UDAY scheme coverage, are backed by valid title documents, proof of continuous possession since before 2014 and eligibility under the Recognition of Property Rights Act, contend that any blanket demolition carried out without affording residents a meaningful hearing would violate the principles of natural justice and infringe upon fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(e) and 21 of the Constitution of petition highlights that the applicant group includes a diverse mix of individuals, such as retired police officers, serving government employees, women, children and senior citizens, who would be severely impacted by the Watch
