Today marked an important day in Batla House demolition case as the Delhi High Court heard the Muradi Road Khasra number 279 demolition case. Earlier, the court had granted an interim stay on the demolition of several properties in Batla House, Okhla, after residents challenged the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) notices that were issued on the basis of a Supreme Court order.
The demolitions were originally scheduled to begin on June 11, with the DDA serving notices in May. However, the interim relief halted the process. Affected residents were given 15-day time to vacate their premises. Resident’s counsel, lawyer Fahad Khan, told the OT that the next date of hearing has now been fixed for November 6. Although the case was listed today, the hearing could not take place, he added.
Md Tahir, who has been actively coordinating legal paperwork for residents, told the OT: “The next hearing is on November 6. As the court reopened after vacation, our matter could not be heard today. This essentially means the interim relief remains in place until then.”
Speaking to the OT from Muradi Road, Saba Israr expressed optimism: “The greatest joy is that the hard work of the people of Okhla has paid off. The matter, which was listed as item number 64 in the High Court, did not come up for hearing as the judge rose before it was called. That is why a new date of November 6 has been set for the next hearing regarding Muradi Road and Khasra number 279.
“We are hopeful that in the coming days, this stay will become permanent. The High Court has already granted stays on different dates, and hearings are being scheduled accordingly. Once the Supreme Court reopens, we will also act on the advice of senior lawyers if needed.”
Around 52 houses were affected by the eviction notices.
Recalling the initial panic, he said: “When the notices first appeared, people were extremely worried. It was just before Muharram, and a sense of despair set in. Families even stopped cooking properly. It was around the time of Bakrid, and many tenants and shopkeepers abandoned their shops and homes and haven’t yet returned. The fear is still lingering, but I believe they will come back.”
“This latest development has brought relief to residents after more than a month of anxiety. People from here to Abul Fazal and Shaheen Bagh were calling each other all day asking, ‘What happened? What happened?’ Muradi Road will definitely regain its vibrancy,” he added.
Some residents said they could not even bring themselves to celebrate Bakrid this year, overwhelmed by anxiety over the eviction notices in Batla House demolition case. “We couldn’t sleep, we couldn’t eat, the fear of losing our homes consumed us,” said Safraraz Ahmed, one of the affected residents. “Buying a house is no small matter; it’s a lifetime of savings and dreams. Even our children’s studies suffered because of the constant stress and uncertainty about our future. But with the court’s interim relief, a sense of normalcy has finally returned, and hope has been restored in our hearts,” he had said earlier.
Before eviction notices in Batla House demolition case were pasted on properties falling under Khasra number 279, Muradi Road, was known for its lively atmosphere, bustling with shops, customers, and activity.
Earlier, the court had also directed the DDA to file its response within four weeks in Batla House demolition case. Residents continue to maintain that some of the properties are outside the designated demolition area and are covered under the PM-UDAY Scheme. Also, they have argued that they have been living in the area for decades.
