Delhi: Rat-Hole Miner Hassan Rejects Accommodation Offer In Dilshad Garden

Hassan, a longtime resident of Khajoori Khas, found himself without a home following the DDA's demolition operation on Wednesday.

Rat-hole miner Wakeel Hassan, who recently lost his house in a demolition drive, has declined yet another offer of accommodation this time in Dilshad Garden on Saturday, as reported by news agency PTI.

"On Friday night, four government officers, including an SDM, came and offered me a house in Dilshad Garden but I refused to accept it as they wanted me to shift on a temporary basis," Hassan recounted. "It was also not in writing. That house belongs to an NGO," he also said, as per PTI.

Following the demolition, DDA officials suggested Hassan relocate to an EWS (economically weaker sections) flat in Narela, a considerable distance from Khajoori Khas in northeast Delhi. Rejecting this option, Hassan cited concerns about the distance and safety of the location.

When questioned about his refusal to accept the Dilshad Garden offer despite its proximity to Khajoori Khas compared to Narela, Hassan emphasised that his demolished house's value exceeded Rs 1 crore. He insisted that any government compensation should match this valuation.

DDA Demolition Drive Made Hassan Homeless

Hassan, who has been staying in Khajoori Khas for several years, became homeless in DDA's demolition drive on Wednesday. Since then, he, along with his wife and two children, has been living on the streets, protesting against the demolition.

During Saturday's rainfall in Delhi, Hassan recorded a video appealing for support. He stated that his belongings and household articles were lying open in the rain. "Today is the third day of my demonstration, which will continue till I get the solution from the government," he also said.

Explaining his property's history, Hassan revealed that he purchased the plot from a private seller for Rs 33 lakh in 2012-13.  "After buying the plot, I invested about Rs 8 lakh to build the rooms and also gave money to the DDA employees. The cost of my house has now gone up to more than Rs 1 crore now," he marked, PTI quoted saying.

Veer Dev Kaushik, a local resident near Hassan's demolished property, affirmed that the locality had been regularised by the Delhi government years ago, leading residents to invest in plots.  "Hassan had also invested and bought a plot here. But the corrupt DDA officials were still harassing him to get more money and when he failed to do so, his house was razed," Kaushik, a government official in Uttar Pradesh's health department, stated.

Hassan gained prominence as part of the team that rescued 41 construction workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district last November.

According to the PTI, Hassan outlined on Thursday that DDA officials assured him to provide a house, but he denied the offer as it was only a "verbal assurance".

Subsequently, he insisted on having his house rebuilt in its original location and threatened to go on a hunger strike if his demands were not fulfilled.