The Supreme Court has further stayed the further demolition of around 200 juggis at Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar till July. The apex court has also appointed a nodal officer to verify the details of families living in the area.
The apex court was hearing the plea challenging the removal of jhuggis in the area (Photo: Supreme Court/File)
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday came to the rescue of slum-dwellers of Sarojini Nagar and said that the halt on demolition in the area will continue. The apex court appointed a nodal officer who will find and verify the details of 172 families living in the jhuggis in Sarojini Nagar and will collect information on their duration of stay, family details, income status and other relevant details.
The court has posted the matter for hearing in the third week of July and till then, the halt on demolition of jhuggis will continue. Last month, the SC stayed the Centre’s proposed demolition for a week of around 200 jhuggis and said that they should be dealt with humanly and cannot be simply thrown.
The apex court was hearing the plea challenging the removal of jhuggis in the area.
PETITION FILED BY MINOR
The petition was filed by a minor Vaishali, through next friend Sita Devi and others. The petitioner said that her Class 10 board examinations will start from April 26 and requested the court not to remove the jhuggis.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh appearing for the petitioners argued that thousands of slum dwellers cannot be banished and vanish like that.
“Where do you expect thousands of people to go? There has to be some scheme,” he said.
NO PROBLEM WITH DEVELOPMENT
The plea states that the petitioners do not seek to hinder any of the development work or public projects undertaken by the government. They are only seeking rehabilitation or relocation as per the policies of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).
The petition says that forced eviction of jhuggi residents will permanently disrupt and destroy their lives as about 200 families, including children, elderly and women will be forcibly thrown on the streets, without any alternate accommodation.
The Union ministry of urban development on April 4 issued eviction/demolition notices to all residents of the jhuggis’ asking them to vacate the place within one week.
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