Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has directed the municipal commissioner of Varanasi and other district authorities to maintain status quo on three premises in the Dalmandi area of Varanasi and not to carry out any demolition in pursuance of the notice issued on May 25, 2026.
Court Orders Status Quo
Directing the authorities to file their respective replies, a division bench comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi said the case will be listed for July 20, 2026, for the next hearing.
Alimun Nisha, Rashid Zafar, and Zul Karnain had filed three separate writ petitions challenging the notice dated May 25, 2026, issued by the Zonal Officer/Assistant Municipal Commissioner of Varanasi Nagar Nigam under Section 331 of the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959, for demolition of their buildings.
Demolition Drive Background
A demolition drive is being carried out in the Dalmandi area of Varanasi to widen the road to improve access to the Kashi Vishwanath temple and enhance infrastructure around it. Structures deemed unsafe or unauthorized are being demolished to reclaim encroached land.
The Varanasi district administration has identified 187 buildings in the Dalmandi area for demolition, with the project being supported by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA).
Petitioners' Arguments
The petitioners argued that no final orders on their earlier objections had been passed or served on them, making the demolition notice illegal. The court observed that the matter requires consideration and, in its order passed on June 12, directed the state government counsel, counsel for Nagar Nigam, and other respondents to file their replies within three weeks.
Court Order: "Meanwhile, parties shall maintain status quo regarding premises which are subject matter of the notice dated May 26, 2026, and the respondents are restrained from carrying out demolition in pursuance to notice dated May 26, 2026," the court said.
