New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered status-quo on the demolition drive started by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) against alleged encroachers in the national capital’s Jahangirpuri area, where riots took place last week.
An apex court bench led by the Chief Justice of India ordered status quo on a mentioning made by Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave.
“Something serious requires your immediate intervention. This is about a completely unconstitutional and illegal demolition which has been ordered in Jahangirpuri area, where riots took place last week,” Dave submitted, Live Law reported.
“No notice has been served. There is a provision for appeal under the Municipal Corporation Act. We have filed a provisional application. It was supposed to start at 2 p.m. but they started the demolition today morning at 9 a.m. knowing that we will mention,” he added.
The Chief Justice of India on his part ordered: “Maintain status quo. List before appropriate bench tomorrow.”
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the petition filed Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind against the alleged actions taken by authorities in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat against the accused.
The plea seeks a declaration that the properties of accused cannot be demolished as a punitive measure as such a punishment is unknown to criminal law.
The petitioner states there is also no due process and fair trial given before the demolition of houses.
“There is another petition which applies all over India, that be listed along with it,” Sibal submitted.
“Alright,” the Chief Justice of India argued.