HC slams DDA for 'negligence', 'delinquency'; clears demolition

The Delhi high court on Monday approved the demolition of Signature View Apartments in Mukherjee Nagar, criticising the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for "delinquency and gross negligence" that was "unpardonable" and had endangered the lives of hundreds of residents.

- Shruti Kakkar

The court held that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) made a "considered" decision in December 2023 to demolish the buildings, based on the evidence before it. A bench of justice Mini Pushkarna also directed that DDA pay the owners rent from the time the flats are handed over.

The court, in its 145-page ruling, highlighted the rapid deterioration of the apartments, which posed severe risks to the residents.

"The present cases are one of their kinds that bring to the fore shocking facts regarding the apathy displayed by DDA in getting residential towers constructed...which started displaying signs of deterioration within a short span...Such delinquency and gross negligence by DDA is unpardonable, as the same has put the lives of hundreds of residents therein, at great risk and danger," the court said.

On December 18, 2023, MCD issued a demolition order declaring the towers structurally unsafe.