SC orders status-quo on demolition drive conducted by NDMC in Delhi's Jahangirpuri

Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a status-quo and stopped the demolition drive conducted by North Delhi Municipal Corporation in Jahangirpuri, Delhi. An anti-encroachment drive was underway in the area which witnessed violence on April 16 during a religious procession. MCD has asked for 400 personnel from Delhi Police to handle law and order during this period.

New Delhi:Supreme Court on Wednesday which ordered a status-quo against the demolition drive of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation in Jahangirpuri, Delhi directed the registry to communicate the same to the appropriate authorities. The development comes after Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave informed the Apex court that the drive was not stopped despite the orders of the Court.

"Please ask the Secretary General to communicate the order to NDMC Mayor and commissioner, Police commissioner (sic)," Dave told the Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana. "Are they all party to the proceedings," the CJI asked. "It's widely reported in the media. This is not appropriate. We are a democratic society. They have not stopped it," Dave said.

"I'm feeling sad, despite world knowing that this court passed orders they are not stopping. It sends a wrong message," Dave expressed his anguish. CJI ordered the court staff to take down the contact numbers of the NDMC Mayor, Commissioner and Delhi Police Commissioner from Dave. "Communicate it(the order) through Secretary General or Registrar General immediately," the CJI said. "It'll be too late otherwise", Dave said. "We are communicating", the CJI assured.

An anti-encroachment drive was underway in the area which witnessed violence on April 16 during a religious procession. Hours ahead of the drive on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), North West, Usha Rangnani along with other police personnel inspected the area. Also, heavy police deployment continued in the area to maintain law and order. "The anti-encroachment drive will take place across Delhi. Earlier also we had requested security for the drive but due to some reasons the action was not taken," Raja Iqbal Singh, Mayor, North Delhi Municipal Corporation said.

Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) had scheduled an "encroachment removal action programme", wherein illegal construction in the Jahangirpuri area would be removed on Wednesday and Thursday (April 20-21). Jahangirpuri is the same area where clashes broke out during a religious procession. NDMC has also asked for 400 personnel from the Delhi Police to "handle law and order" during the drive.

Read:Jahangirpuri violence: Main accused Ansar a 'BJP leader', says AAP with proof

In a letter to the Northwest Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), the NDMC said, "The special joint encroachment removal action programme comprising Public Works Department (PWD), local body, Police and the Works/Maintenance Department, Health Department, Sanitation Department, Veterinary Department and Enforcement Cell of North DMC is to be fixed in Jahangiripuri area." "You are, therefore requested to provide at least 400 police personnel including lady police/outer force for maintaining law and order during the encroachment removal action," the letter further read.

An altercation between two groups erupted during a religious procession in Delhi's Jahangirpuri on April 16 that left nine people injured including eight police personnel and a civilian. A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident. On Tuesday, National Security Act (NSA) was imposed against five culprits involved in the clashes that took place in Delhi's Jahangirpuri that erupted between members of two groups during a Hanuman Jayanti procession.

Meanwhile, in wake of the incident, the Delhi police are conducting drone surveillance to keep a vigil over the Central District. Delhi Police on Tuesday said that the situation in Jahangirpuri was peaceful and talks are being held with the peace committee. "The situation is peaceful. Talks were held with Aman Committee. The investigation is taking place in a fair manner," Delhi Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dependra Pathak said.

Read:Jahangirpuri Violence: Delhi Police uses drones for security surveillance in Jama Masjid, Hauz Qazi area

with Agency inputs