The Delhi High Court on Monday granted an interim stay on the demolition of several properties in the Batla House area of Okhla, following petitions filed by local residents. Justice Tejas Karia ordered a status quo to be maintained until the next hearing scheduled for July 10.
The court also issued a notice to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), directing it to submit its response within four weeks. The petitions were filed by Heena Parveen, Jinat Kausar, Rukhsana Begam, Nihal Fatima, Sufiyan Ahmed, Sajid Fakhar, and others.
The contested properties had received demolition notices for alleged unauthorised construction, based on a Supreme Court directive issued on May 7 to clear illegal structures.
Petitioners argued they had legally purchased the properties from builders and some claimed their homes fall under the PM-UDAY scheme, which aims to provide ownership rights in Delhi’s unauthorised colonies.
While the court recently dismissed a PIL filed by AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan seeking relief, it has previously granted protection to individual residents challenging DDA’s demolition orders.
