'Is This Some Commercial Activity?': Delhi High Court Questions DDA Stand On E-Auction Of Land For Christian Burial Grounds

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a PIL seeking earmarked suitable land for establishment of cemeteries or burial grounds for Christians in the national capital.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sought response of Delhi Government, Delhi Development Authority and Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The Court directed the MCD to file a status report giving details of the number of Christian cemeteries or burial grounds within its territorial jurisdiction and also the space available for establishing the same.

During the hearing, Court's attention was drawn to a letter issued by the Deputy Director of DDA to MCD wherein it was informed that allotment of land on leasehold basis for designated purpose is done by e-auction as per rules and policies applicable to DDA.

DDA had then required the petitioner to participate in e-auction of DDA land.

Questioning the stand, the Court said that arrangement for burial land cannot be equated with commercial activity.

“The requirement to participate in auction for procuring land on perpetual lease basis does not appeal to us,” the Court expressed prima facie, also requiring the DDA to file a status report.

“What kind of stand have you taken? Is this some kind of commercial activity? What have you stated that this land is available through e-auction?,” the Court told DDA counsel.

The plea, filed by President of Legal Christians Action Committee, seeks a direction on the DDA to take a final decision, within a time-bound period, regarding allotment or earmarking of the land. A direction is also sought on the authorities to complete the entire process in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner.

The plea states that there is an acute crisis due to the complete unavailability and shortage of adequate Christian burial grounds in Delhi.

Citing existence of only 5 Christian cemeteries in the city, the PIL claims that the said burial grounds are old and historic, completely saturated and are in full capacity, as a result of which the Christian community is left with no dignified space to perform the last rites of their deceased.

“That, the members of the Christian community are being forced to transport the mortal remains of their loved ones all the way to the neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh etc. for burial, which is financially unaffordable for most families, especially those families which belongs to the economically weaker sections,” the plea claims.

The Petitioner also asserts that he has been pursuing the matter with DDA and MCD since June last year, but despite multiple representations, correspondence and an RTI application, the authorities have failed to take any concrete steps to identify and allot the land.

“That, the Petitioner does not seek transfer; ownership or exclusive allotment of any public land in its own favour. The limited relief sought is for allocation of adequate public burial facilities, to be owned, regulated and administered by the competent public authorities or otherwise dealt with strictly in accordance with law,” the plea states.

Title: GOERGE SINGH (RAHUL), PRESIDENT, LEGAL CHRISTIANS ACTION COMMITTEE ALL INDIA v. GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI

Case Number: W.P.(C)-12685/2026