'Delhi Will Choke, God Save Us All': High Court Questions Centre's Move To Evict Indian Polo Association

The Delhi High Court on Monday (June 8) directed a trial court here to decide a plea filed by Indian Polo Association (IPA) seeking stay on the notice issued to it by the Central Government asking it to vacate its premises citing public welfare.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna closed IPA's plea but questioned the Central Government's standing counsel over the eviction notice.

“This is going on for years together. What you want to turn Delhi into, only you know…,” the Court orally said to Central Government counsel during the hearing.

As the Centre's counsel justified the action saying that the decision of eviction is for “people's welfare”, the judge orally remarked:

“Delhi people go to some 'chota mota' mountain and stay there. Delhi won't be for us. It is a small lung that we have and you want to take away that also. Take it away. Ensure people do not come to Delhi. Making all high rises, it is in public interest? We have only high rises all over.”

The judge further said : “NDMC, go to any colony, we have 20 storey houses. Every colony has been demolished. If this is how you want Delhi to live then God save us all.”

The Centre's counsel said that with growth in people's population, there is requirement of land and that the “government has to function from the limited area only.”

On this, the Court said: “You are the might but Delhi will choke.”

The Court disposed of the plea with a direction to Patiala House Court to hear the stay application on Wednesday.

Title: Indian Polo Association v. Union of India