‘Do you need bulldozers to remove stalls and chairs?': SC issues notice

Will take a serious view of demolition carried out even after order was communicated, says Bench

JAHANGIRPURI DEMOLITION CASE

The Supreme Court on Thursday extended its order directing maintenance of the status quo on the razing of buildings in the violence-hit Jahangirpuri area of the national capital and said it would take a 'serious view" of the action that was carried out even after its order was communicated to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) mayor.

The apex court, which had to intervene twice on Wednesday before the demolition drive was finally halted, issued notice to the Centre and others on the plea filed by the Jamiat Ulamai-Hind that claimed that buildings of Muslim riots accused were razed.

The top court in its order said, “Issue notice, returnable on May 9, 2022. Pleading to be completed in the meanwhile. Additional affidavit/documents, if any, may be filed after serving the same to the other side before the next date of hearing. Status Quo, as exists today (Thursday), shall be maintained, until further orders.” The hearing saw CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also moving to the top court complaining that the demolition drive was not stopped despite an order to maintain the status quo and she had to physically stand to stop the process yesterday, otherwise they would have completed the demolition of the entire Block C in C Jahangirpuri.

Taking note of the submissions of senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, and others, a bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai, said "we will take a serious view of the demolition which was carried out even after Supreme Court orders, and even after NDMC Mayor was informed. We will take that up later."

"We want affidavits from the petitioner on the notices if served, and counter-affidavits, and till then, status quo order will continue," it said.