Residents of Khasra 279 in Batla House faced continued uncertainty on Wednesday. According to activist Tahir Ali, who has been assisting with legal documentation, 8 to 10 residents approached a lower court earlier in the day. “These cases have been listed for Friday. Tomorrow, 10 more cases listing are in the Delhi High Court. A few people have already secured interim relief,” Ali told the OT.
The exact number of interim relief granted is unclear, but sources familiar with the matter said around 14 residents whose “homes were mistakenly marked and are located outside Khasra 279” have succeeded in their endeavour.
“Aggrieved Batla House residents to file petitions individually”
Ali noted that following the Delhi High Court’s Wednesday suggestion that aggrieved residents file petitions individually, more people are now approaching the courts on their own as they have been give three days time. It is expected that others may also approach court to receive relief.
“Residents are distressed after the High Court declined to issue a general stay. Supervisors from electricity department had also come,” Ali added.
A day ago top police officials visited Muradi Road in Batla House, shortly after the court ordered a structural survey. Photos and videos of the visit surfaced online. Md Sagheer, who has been closely following the developments, said the presence of senior Delhi Police officers on Wednesday caused panic among Batla House residents.
Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid appearing for Okhla Amanatullah Khan told the OT there is a complaint against the DDA and those who fear the demolition of their homes must approach the court within three days, just like others have gone to the High Court or Lower Courts. “They must seek similar relief from whichever court they choose,” he said.
Briefing counsel lawyer Fahad Khan on Wednesday told the OT: “In furtherance of last order, learned senior counsel for petitioner on instructions of briefing counsel seeks permission to withdraw this petition so that the petitioner who is a public spirited individual informs the local residents of Batla house, their right to file appropriate proceeding before appropriate forum within three working days. Accordingly the petition is dismissed as withdrawn.”
No general stay was granted on demolition notices, reported India Today.
Development heightens concerns among residents
This development has heightened concerns among Khasra 279 residents, who argue that demolition notices were issued in error. With the eviction deadline approaching, they are now racing against time to file individual petitions and obtain interim relief. And the coming two days are going to be crucial.
Nighat Siddiqui, a teacher whose home has also received a demolition notice, told OT that Muradi Road is one of the oldest areas in Okhla, dating back 70 to 80 years. “I’ve been living on Muradi Road for the past 10 years. Our building has 35 flats, and thousands of people live in this area. Everyone is distressed by the recent developments since the eviction notices were issued,” she said.
“I believe truth and justice will prevail — they always have, and they will again. Even our flat has been marked. We received the notice too. I was in a meeting at the time, and my daughter was home when officials came to paste the notices on the houses,” she said.
Darab Akhtar shared his concerns and said: “I was born in UP and have been living in Delhi for the past 25–27 years. Right now, there’s a climate of fear. So far, we haven’t received any relief or stay orders. People who sold their land back in their villages to buy flats here are in tears. Where will they go now? Their children go to school here. It takes years to build a home — but it can be demolished in minutes.
“Residents have lived here for 30, 40, even 50 years. There was never any claim on this land back then. Now, suddenly, notices have been issued saying the land belongs to someone else, and we’re being told to vacate. Most families will be left with nothing. Maybe 10 per cent might be able to rebuild their homes and lives, but the rest will struggle for the rest of their lives. Everything will be turned upside down.”
Eviction order date expired on June 11
The eviction order date expired on June 11. On May 26, the DDA issued demolition notices, citing a Supreme Court order dated May 7. The order instructed the DDA to remove all unauthorised structures in Khasra Number 279 — a 2.8-bigha (approximately 0.702-hectare) stretch of land along Muradi Road in Okhla village. Since the notices were served, residents say they have been enduring sleepless nights.
