Greeva Garg –
Published on: August 24, 2021, at 12:58 IST
The Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court of India regarding the completion of demolition process in the Khori Village on 150 acres of Aravalli Forest land, along with some farmhouses that have already been razed there.
With the further directions, the Supreme Court has directed the MCF to continue the demolition of all unauthorised structures standing in Khori Village of Aravali Forest land and also to clear all encroachments without any exception.
While hearing an application filed by owners of some marriage halls which have received notices from the Municipal Corporation, the Apex court bench comprising of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari stated that, “Let the corporation decide on your representation and after that is decided, we will consider what course of action can be adopted. Today, all unauthorised structures are being demolished and that has to continue.”
The demolition process in Khori Village was intiated in April this year by the Municipal Corporation but the resistance from villagers made the task impossible.
The villagers approached the Top Court for rehabilitation prior to eviction. But opposing the prayers of the villagers, the Court provided additional four weeks to complete the demolition to the Corporation on July 23.
On August 23, after the compliance report submission by the respondents, the Court posted the matter for two weeks.
However, the Counsel appearing for marriage hall owners submitted that the authority should not demolish their structures while they consider their representation.
The bench told the petitioners’ counsel that, “They can make representations and the authority will consider it. If it is unauthorised, it has to be demolished as per the present law and legal position. The corporation has to proceed. Let them proceed.”
Order: https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2016/36631/36631_2016_33_302_29492_Order_23-Aug-2021.pdf