Demolition drive begins in Jahangirpuri despite SC order, then stopped

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed its secretary-general to convey an earlier order to stop demolition in riot-hit Jahangirpuri to the NDMC (North Delhi Municipal Corporation) mayor and the Delhi Police commissioner immediately. 

A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana, in the forenoon, ordered the stopping of the demolition drive by authorities in the area and agreed to hear a petition challenging the action of the civic bodies allegedly aimed against the accused of the communal offences. 

The NDMC stopped the anti-encroachment drive in Jahangirpuri following a communication from the Supreme Court registry. Special CP (law and order of northern zone) Dependra Pathak said they have received the apex court order on maintaining ‘status quo’ in Jahangirpuri and now the demolition drive has been stopped.

Demolition had begun

The Supreme Court took note of the submissions of senior advocate Dushyant Dave that despite the order of the apex court the demolition was on as the authorities are saying that the same has not been communicated to them. 

“It will be too late otherwise,” Dave said urging urgent remedial action on the part of the top court. “OK. Communicate it through secretary-general or registrar general [of the apex court] immediately,”  the CJI said.

CPI(M) eader Brinda Karat later reached Jahangirpuri. “At 10.45am, the SC gave an order to maintain the status quo on the demolition drive, I have come here for the implementation of the order,” she said.

A report later quoted NDMC Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh as saying the order had been received. said the anti-encroachment drive in Jahangirpuri will be stopped soon as authorities have received the Supreme Court order.

Rahul slams move

There has also been widespread opposition to the demolition drive from various quarters. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the government over the use of bulldozers, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to switch off “bulldozers of hate” and switch on power plants.

“Modi ji, stagflation is looming. Power cuts will crush small industries, leading to more job losses. Switch off the bulldozers of hate and switch on the power plants,” he said.

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties said in a letter to NMDC: “We  request  you to think again and stop your drive which  is totally unlawful and against the norms  enshrined in the chapters of fundamental rights and Directive Principles of our State policy in our  Constitution as well a number of pronouncements of our courts.”