New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Monday directed the Delhi Police and NDMC to continue removing unauthorised hawkers selling goods in the Sarojini Nagar market here while noting that the authorities have taken effective steps in this direction.
Substantial work has been done. We would like this momentum to continue, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh said.
After perusing the status reports filed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Police, the bench said they have done the work, it is not that shopkeepers are not to be blamed. Almost every shopkeeper has encroached upon public land.
It appears that in pursuance to our orders, NDMC and police authorities have taken effective steps regarding removal of illegal squatters in Sarojini Nagar market. We would like to see further steps be taken in the matter We direct NDMC and Delhi Police to continue to keep vigil and remove illegal squatters and ensure our orders are complied with, it said.
The bench said it was the question of people's mindset as they see whether the authorities are lenient or strict.
You have to send a message home that you will take strict action and then see the result. If we take back the contempt notices, things will go back to the same situation, it said.
The court had earlier issued contempt notice against officials of NDMC for not complying with its earlier orders on the removal of encroachment from the market, including illegal vendors and their goods.
The court asked the NDMC to mention in its next status report the steps taken by it for fencing Sarojini Nagar Market.
It further asked the Delhi Police to indicate the aspect of procurement of instruments for a headcount of people in the market and also on the installation of CCTVs there.