The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Thursday resumed its demolition drive in Uttam Nagar, targeting illegal structures allegedly linked to individuals accused in a fatal Holi clash that occurred on March 4. The action follows a brief legal halt after affected parties approached the Delhi High Court.
Legal Proceedings and Stay Order
Sources revealed that the affected parties had moved the Delhi High Court on April 13, seeking relief against the demolition carried out by the civic body the same day. The court granted a 15-day stay and directed the petitioners to approach the MCD's appellate tribunal. Following this directive, the family approached the tribunal on April 28 and was heard on April 29. During the hearing, the stay was vacated, and the MCD's action was upheld. With the legal hurdle removed, the civic body resumed the demolition drive.
Details of the Demolition Drive
On Thursday, the MCD took action against two properties. An official stated that one property involved a building constructed by amalgamating three plots, while the other comprised two plots. Both structures were found to be in violation of building norms. The official added that the drive would continue to render the structures uninhabitable. The area falls under a JJ cluster, where the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) had allotted 25-square-yard plots, which cannot be amalgamated under existing regulations. MCD officials maintained that prior notices had been served on the defaulters and emphasized that the drive was part of routine anti-encroachment action.
Background of the Holi Clash
The incident dates back to March 4, when a dispute allegedly triggered by a balloon being thrown from a rooftop escalated into a violent clash, resulting in the death of 26-year-old Tarun Kumar. Following the incident, the MCD had earlier carried out demolition actions on March 8 and April 13 against alleged illegal encroachments linked to the main accused. On March 8, the civic body demolished constructions over a public drain to restore water flow. Shortly after the April 13 action, the daughter of the accused, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, approached the High Court seeking urgent intervention. The court directed the MCD to pause the demolition for a few days and advised the petitioner to approach the appellate tribunal, which later upheld the MCD's action.
