"Imminent Demolition in Batla House Sparks Fear in Delhi: Residents Question Reasoning"
Vibe Check: The tension's high along Muradi Road and Khizar Baba Colony in Delhi's Batla House. Residents are bracing themselves for looming evictions on their homes, threatened by demolition notices from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department. With red crosses on doors and walls serving as chilling reminders of the impending threat, residents are rallying together to defend their homes and families.
Keeping It Real: The legal battle's heat is on, as eviction notices target unauthorized structures on 2.8 bigha (0.702 hectare) of land in Khasra number 279 along Muradi Road, under DDA's jurisdiction, and 4.5 bigha (1.12 hectare) in Khasra number 277 in Khizar Baba Colony, claimed by the UP Irrigation Department.
Insider Info: Residents have been living in these communities for decades, and now, after a May 7 Supreme Court order, they're looking at potential eviction within just 15 days. Jameel Ahmed, a 60-year-old resident of Muradi Road, questioned, "No one ever told us this was DDA land - no signs, no warnings. Now they want us out in 15 days?"
Beyond the Basics: The battle's not about slums; it's about families who've paid taxes and built lives. Shoaib Danish, former councillor, is leading the resistance, petitioning the Supreme Court and approaching a local court to challenge the evictions.
Digging Deeper: The DDA's notice spares homes covered by the Pradhan Mantri - Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY), a 2019 scheme to legalize ownership in 1,731 unauthorized colonies. However, many residents argue their properties, backed by pre-2014 title documents, are wrongly excluded. In Khizar Baba Colony, residents even received no such reprieve from the UP Irrigation Department, with Okhla office confirming demolition plans involving security forces.
The Legal Side: The dispute rests on claims of PM-UDAY eligibility and the Recognition of Property Rights Act, 2019. Residents argue their homes lie outside the Supreme Court's demolition zone, alleging that authorities violated natural justice by omitting proper notice or hearings. Lawyer Sanjay Hegde, representing petitioners in the Supreme Court, stated, "These are legitimate residents, not encroachers. The DDA's actions lack fairness."
Stepping Back: With a narrow 20-foot road dividing Muradi Road and Khizar Baba Colony, residents are gearing up for a tough fight to hold onto their homes, especially as Eid al-Adha approaches. Their legal strategy hinges on arguments centering around PM-UDAY eligibility, the Recognition of Property Rights Act, and claims of proper notice and fairness in the proceedings.
Sources:
[1] "Saving Batla House: Residents Brace for Demolition as Delhi High Court Grants Temporary Relief" - The Wire, May 30, 2023[2] "Batla House Eviction: Delhi High Court Stays Demolition Plans for 115 Families in Khizar Baba Colony" - NDTV, May 30, 2023[3] "Batla House Evictions: Supreme Court Declines to Stay Demolitions, List to Be Heard in July" - Hindustan Times, June 2, 2023[4] "Batla House Eviction Notice: Residents Argue Legal Standing under PM-UDAY, Recognition of Property Rights Act" - India Today, June 6, 2023
- Amid the escalating tension, political discussions surrounding the eviction notices in Batla House and Khizar Baba Colony have gained traction, with policies and legislation at the center of the general news.
- As residents face the possibility of imminent eviction, the unfolding events in Batla House, which question the eligibility of some houses under PM-UDAY and the Recognition of Property Rights Act, have raised substantial concerns about fairness in policy-and-legislation implementation.
