Encroachers awaiting rehabilitation cannot stay on public land, says HC

THE Delhi High Court has ruled that people living on public land without permission cannot continue staying there just because they are awaiting the resolution of their rehabilitation claims under the relevant government policies.

- SHEKHAR SINGH @ New Delhi

Justice Dharmesh Sharma made the observation while dismissing a set of petitions by residents of jhuggi jhopri (JJ) clusters in Bhoomiheen Camp, in the city's Govind Puri area.

These residents had asked the court to stop the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) from continuing demolition work and evicting them. They also wanted the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to carry out a fresh and detailed survey and provide rehabilitation as per the 2015 policy on slum and JJ relocation. The court refused the request and stated that eviction and eligibility for rehabilitation are two separate processes.