3 min readNew DelhiDec 25, 2025 06:05 AM IST
First published on: Dec 25, 2025 at 06:05 AM IST
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed civic authorities in the Capital to take requisite action against food establishments in North Delhi’s Majnu ka Tila which are running without required structural approvals and permissions, in violation of safety protocols.
This was in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by practising advocates Arnav Singh and Aditya Chauhan—appearing as party-in-person—in which it was flagged that multiple cafes, bars, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels are operating out of unauthorised multi-storeyed buildings along the banks of the Yamuna. These buildings, also comprising illegal basements, rooftops and recreational facilities, are purportedly constructed without sanctioned plans, the PIL claimed.
After the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) informed a division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela that a suo motu complaint has been registered in this regard and subsequent action will be taken, the bench, recording the same and with a direction to take appropriate action, disposed of the plea.
While orally remarking that “half the DU students are there”, Justice Gedela urged the authorities to take quick action. Meanwhile, CJ Upadhyaya quipped on a lighter vein, “except the momos cart, everything shall be removed.”
A list of such establishments, as stated in the PIL, includes the legacy Tibetan restaurant Dolma’s rooftop and restaurant cafe, running since 1984, as well as the famous AMA Cafe.
Relying on Right To Information (RTI) responses the two petitioners had received from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on the buildings being unauthorised constructions with no sanction given to the building plan, the PIL also highlighted that they pose a “life-threatening hazard”, underlining that the same was amplified during recent floods “when streets were completely submerged and basements of these buildings filled with water, exposing structural vulnerabilities”. MCD was represented by advocates Siddhant Nath and Amaan Khan.
Submitting that the petition is being filed for a large class of visitors which includes students, tourists and workers who frequent the establishments in the area, the petitioners have pointed out that while a detailed representation was submitted to the authorities highlighting issues like illegal and unauthorised constructions, absence of fire safety measures and violation of building norms, they have received no response till date.
The PIL highlights that some of the multi-storeyed buildings do not even have staircase access beyond the third or fourth floor, and the only way to access higher floors is through elevators. Additionally, it has highlighted “regulatory failures, if not deliberate negligence”, where a lift installation licence has been granted for a building which does not have any sanctioned building plan.
A list of such establishments, as stated in the PIL, includes the legacy Tibetan restaurant Dolma's rooftop and restaurant cafe, running since 1984, as well as the famous AMA Cafe. 
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