Batla House Demolition: Since May 29, when the Supreme Court agreed to hear a plea challenging the proposed demolition of certain allegedly illegal properties on Muradi Road in Delhi’s Batla House, a tense anticipation has gripped the neighborhood.
For around more than 40 residents of Khasra number 279 — who had knocked on the doors of the apex court seeking a stay on the demolition — it was a sleepless Sunday night. Anxiously awaiting the outcome of Monday’s hearing, many spent the night in prayer, discussion, or simply staring at the walls of homes that now hang in the balance, fearing they could be reduced to rubble at any moment. The looming uncertainty has turned each passing hour into a test of endurance and hope.
Batla House demolition: “SC declines for now to interfere with demolition notices, hearing in July”
On Monday, Deccan Herald reported that the Supreme Court declined for now to interfere with the demolition notices issued to the properties owners at Batla House. The apex court told the affected residents to approach appropriate authorities. A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma posted their plea for hearing in July.
According to The New Indian Express, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere in the case of authorities issuing demolition notices to property owners in Batla House, Jamia Nagar, and asked the petitioners to approach the relevant authorities.
According to the notices affixed to the affected homes, the Batla House demolition drive for Khasra number 279 is scheduled to begin on June 11. The announcement has cast a shadow of anxiety over the area, as residents brace for what could be a life-altering operation.
Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing the petitioner, cited a Supreme Court directive issued on May 7. The order had instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to remove unauthorised constructions and encroachments in Okhla village, following legal procedures.
“We are aware of our orders. We don’t want to say anything. We leave it to you. Should we pass an appropriate order or you want it in July?,” the bench asked. Hegde requested the bench that nothing should happen in the meanwhile. “That is the real problem,” he argued reported The Pioneer.
The bench observed: “It is our order. We know what it is. We know what you are saying.” The SC asked Hegde to take instructions and passed over the matter, reported the daily.
After the matter came up for hearing again, the senior advocate said the matter be posted in July. He referred to a paragraph of the Supreme Court’s May 7 order which reads: “We also make it clear that those occupants who are aggrieved by notices of demolition are free to adopt appropriate proceedings in accordance with law.”
At that time, the SC also directed the DDA to submit a compliance affidavit within a period of three months. “We make it clear that when we say due process of law before demolishing any structure at least 15 days notice shall be served upon the concerned persons,” the SC had said.
Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan, who had remained notably silent on the issue — amid claims by his supporters that he was on a 30-day chilla (a Tablighi Jamaat spiritual retreat) in Karnataka — made an unexpected appearance at the Supreme Court and even addressed the media.
We got relief from SC: Amanatullah on Batla House demolition
After the Batla House demolition hearing, he spoke to the national media. “We got this relief from the SC, the case will be heard by regular bench in first week of July, in the meantime, it was said that the affected persons can seek for relief in PM UDAY or others. This land was protected by the Parliament in 2014, DDA is doing pick and choose, I am from that area, I am seeing the area for 40 years… We had come with the facts, some areas were regularised… DDA is doing wrong. We hope for relief in July…,” posted PTI quoting Amanatullah on X with his video message.
VIDEO | On SC relief regarding demolition in Jamia Nagar, MLA Amanatullah Khan (@KhanAmanatullah) says, "We got this relief from the SC, the case will be heard by regular bench in first week of July, in the meantime, it was said that the affected persons can seek for relief in PM… pic.twitter.com/4pbaQ06xIu
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 2, 2025
After his video was posted online, it quickly sparked a wave of backlash. Many questioned the accuracy of his claims, with one netizen pointedly asking: “How can you call it relief when there is no stay order?” Others went further, accusing him of opportunism — criticising him for attempting to take credit and unnecessarily politicising a deeply sensitive issue of Batla House demolition. His public address to the media, rather than reassuring residents, drew sharp reactions from those who felt that the focus should remain on legal remedies and community support, not political posturing on Batla House demolition.
On Sunday Advocate-on-Record Adeel Ahmad told the OT: “We are demanding a stay on the demolition notices issued for houses in Khasra number 279.”
Hegde contended that the demolition notices blatantly disregarded the Supreme Court’s earlier directives concerning the demolition of structures. He claimed that the buildings selected for demolition were chosen “arbitrarily”, in clear violation of legal principles. The petitioner’s counsel also maintained that the High Court was not the appropriate forum for redress, as the parties involved were directly impacted by a Supreme Court order.
On May 26, civic authorities, accompanied by a large contingent of police and security personnel, entered the narrow lanes of Muradi Road and put demolition notices on several houses, citing encroachment on land owned by the DDA.
Residents have been asserting that they have lived in area for decades
Since then, residents have been vocally asserting that they have lived in the area for decades, some for generations, and insist they possess all the necessary legal documents to prove rightful ownership and long-standing residence. Many describe the demolition drive as unjust and arbitrary, claiming it disregards their legitimate claims and the lives they have built over the years.
The May 26 notice was put in both English and Hindi and said: “Whereas, the land of Khasra number 279 village Okhla is acquired DDA/Government land…and a part of the subject land has unauthorised encroachment.
“And whereas, the Supreme Court…has directed the Delhi Development Authority and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi to take action of demolition of illegal/unauthorised structures in said Khasra number 279 village Okhla in relation to the area lying outside PM-UDAY colony boundary. And whereas the SC has directed that such action shall be taken after giving 15 days notice to the occupants of such illegal/unauthorised structures.
“And whereas, this building/structure has been found to be an illegal/unauthorised structure falling in khasra number 279 village Okhla outside PMA-UDAY colony boundary. Now therefore in pursuance with the directions of the SC to take action of demolition in accordance with law in respect of illegal/unauthorised structures and in order to recover precious DDA/Government land, the occupants of this building/structure are hereby directed to vacate the premise within 15 days of issuance of this notice. The demolition programmer shall be carried out from 11-06-2025 without any further notice. The occupants of this building/structure have been duly warned.”
Days ahead shrouded in uncertainty and anxiety
For the affected residents in Batla House demolition case, the days ahead are shrouded in uncertainty and anxiety, as the unfolding situation is closely monitored with bated breath by the entire Jamia Nagar community.
“This is not just an isolated issue — it resonates deeply, with the outcome holding significant implications for the future of countless families. The air is thick with tension and hope, as neighbours and onlookers alike await a resolution that could determine the fate of their homes, their livelihoods, and the very fabric of their community,” said a resident.
