Demolition: Delhi High Court Orders No Coercive Action Against Pakistani Hindu Refugee Residing In Camp At Majnu Ka Tila

In an interim order, the Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to no take any coercive action against a Pakistani Hindu Refugee residing in the Pakistani Hindu Refugees Camp at city's Majnu Ka Tilla.

Justice Mini Pushkarna passed the order after considering the Union Government's statement recorded in another petition in 2013 stating that it shall make endeavour to extend all support to the Hindu Community which entered the country from Pakistan.

“Considering the statement made on behalf of the then Additional Solicitor General of India, as recorded in order dated 29th May, 2013 in W.P.(C) No. 3712/2013 that the Union of India shall make endeavor to extend all support to the Hindu Community which has entered India from Pakistan, it is directed that no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner, till the next date of hearing,” the court said.

The court was dealing with a plea moved by one Ravi Ranjan Singh against the demolition drive, till some alternative piece of land is allotted to the residents of the refugee camp.

Singh's counsel submitted that the Public Notice issued on March 04 was pasted in the area asking the residents to vacate the camp by March 06, failing which the DDA would demolish the same.

It was submitted that the Pakistani Hindu Refugees have been living at Majnu Ka Tilla since many years, with basic facilities being provided by the authorities.

On the other hand, DDA's counsel relied upon a recent order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 29 directing that all the encroachment on the Yamuna Flood Plain Zone adjacent to South of Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tilla be be removed.

It was also contended that cost was also imposed upon DDA and it was bound to follow the judicial orders.

As the counsel referred to Union Government's statement made in 2013, the court issued notice on the plea and impleaded the Union of India as a party to the same.

The matter will now be heard on March 19.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. R.K. Bali and Ms. Meghna Bali, Advs

Counsel for Respondent: Ms. Prabhsahay Kaur, SC with Mr. Bir Inder Singh Gurm, Ms. Pragati Singh, Advs. & Mr. Bijendra Kumar, for DDA

Title: RAVI RANJAN SINGH v. DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 294

Click Here To Read Order