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Journalism of Courage
The Supreme Court on Friday took stern exception to unauthorised constructions continuing to happen in the Chandni Chowk area, in violation of its order, and directed the Delhi Police to arrest those flouting the law.
“The Commissioner of Police shall continue to deploy a police team for patrolling in the area and ensure that all the demolition notices passed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), over which Courts have not granted stay, are meticulously complied with and where the illegal/unauthorised constructions are going on, such properties are sealed forthwith,” a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed.
The court also sought a compliance report from the local Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
The court warned against converting residential premises into commercial ones and said that it would view seriously any collusion of builders and municipal corporation officials.
Conveying the court’s severe displeasure, Justice Kant told Delhi police officials, “You go every day for patrolling. If anybody is found to put a brick, he must be arrested then and there. This is a complete fraud going on in collusion with these municipal corporation officials. This must be stopped.” The judge said otherwise, it will ask the police to come to court.
Justice Kant also referred to the case of an elderly woman residing on the ground floor of a residential property, the second floor of which was converted illegally into a commercial space by the builder.
Pulling up the MCD, the court told its counsel, “She ran from pillar to post to stop the construction from 2022 when this builder starts construction on the property… where were you all this time?”
Seeking details of the builder, the court said it will take penal action against him.
The court directed that the defaulters be “arrested then and there” as they will “not mend their ways”.
“We will see who grants them bail,” said Justice Kant.
The bench, which perused photographs of the area, also sought an inspection report from the MCD.
