Supreme Court declines to entertain plea
on Shaheen Bagh demolition drive [9.5.2022]
The
Supreme Court asked the CPI(M) and other petitioners to move the Delhi High
Court in the matter.
The
Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain petitions against the South Delhi
Municipal Corporation's anti-encroachment drive in Shaheen Bagh area. The SC
asks the CPI(M) and other petitioners to move the Delhi high court in the
matter
The
top Court had earlier agreed to hear a petition challenging a demolition drive
by the civic body in the Shaheen Bagh area that led to a massive uproar hours
ago. The drive was halted as locals
blocked movement of traffic and bulldozers that had reached the area as part of
the anti-encroachment drive.
The
petition was filed by the CPI(M)'s Delhi unit and Hawkers Union on Saturday
terming the anti-encroachment exercise of the civic body was a "violation
of principles of natural justice, statutes and the Constitution".
“Why
is CPI(M) filing the petition?” the SC said, adding it cannot interfere at the
behest of a political party.
The
petition was CPI(M) withdraws petition. SC dismissed petition as withdrawn with
liberty to approach the HC.
The
petitioners had said they were not unauthorised occupants or encroachers as
alleged by the respondents -- the SDMC and others.
The
North Delhi Municipal Corporation had earlier come under fire from several
civil rights groups and opposition parties after it bulldozed structures in the
Jahangirpuri area in an anti-encroachment drive. The operation was stopped
following the Supreme Court's intervention.