In the latest development in Shaheen Bagh demolition drive, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain CPI (M) plea against demolition of buildings in South Delhi locality.
It has asked the CPI (M) to approach High Court.
The court asked petitioner to "better" approach High Court in connection with CPI (M) plea against demolition of buildings and added "let the affected parties come to court."
Notably, a plea challenging the demolition drive by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) was mentioned before the apex court.
Senior advocate P.V. Surendranath mentioned the Shaheen Bagh demolition matter before a bench headed by Justice L. Nageswara Rao and comprising Justice B.R. Gavai. The bench orally observed, "Why demolition takes place when matter is listed..." In the morning, the Chief Justice had asked the counsel to mention the matter before the bench considering the Jahangirpuri demolition.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the demolition carried out by the municipal corporation in Jahangirpuri, was in pursuance to the direction of the Delhi High Court direction.
Mehta said that he is not aware of the Shaheen Bagh matter and added that he can't be there at 2 p.m. due to personal difficulty. Justice Rao said ask someone else to be there. The bench orally observed, "Let us protect people, if something happens..."
The plea contended that without giving a proper show cause notice and giving breathing time to people residing / working in different areas of south Delhi, the respondents proposed to start demolition of buildings denying their precious constitutional rights and right to life. "The authorities have not issued statutory notice to owners / occupants of the buildings to show cause why the buildings should not be demolished. No notice is issued to them as to how encroachment is made by the occupants / owners of the buildings", it added.
(with agency inputs)
