Delhi HC Signals Possible Survey Of Dhobi Ghat To Identify Those Affected By Demolitions

On Friday, the Delhi High Court hinted that it may order a survey of the Dhobi Ghat area in Batla House, Delhi, to identify those impacted by the ongoing demolition activities.

A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela reviewed a petition from Dhobi Ghat Jhuggi Adhikar Manch, a group representing residents of the local jhuggi (slum) clusters.

The union opposed a previous ruling by a single-judge Bench, which refused to stop the demolitions.

The earlier ruling, on 3 March, found that the union had failed to prove its ability to represent the ‘unknown numbers’ of residents.

The current Division Bench raised similar concerns, questioning the identity and status of the residents.

The court stated, “Who are the residents, how do you establish that? Who are you, who are the beneficiaries?”

Additionally, the court mentioned the possibility of directing a survey to gather these details, as it cannot verify if the residents belong to a recognized colony.

“We will not be able to determine if you fall part of the listed colony. These are crucial aspects which needs to be found by someone needs to decide if you have been living there. Court cannot decide that. For that purpose, we will consider passing an order for a survey,” the court asserted.

DDA Justifies Dhobi Ghat Demolitions Citing Floodplain Rules

Officials link the demolitions to claims that Dhobi Ghat lies within the Yamuna River’s floodplains, raising environmental concerns.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) initiated the demolition in September 2020, impacting many daily wage laborers and domestic workers living in the area.

Residents allege that officials carried out the demolition without proper notice, compensation, rehabilitation, or alternative housing.

The DDA defended the demolition, arguing that regulations forbid construction on the Yamuna floodplains.

The single-judge ruling in March upheld this position, dismissing the union’s petition and labeling the residents as trespassers, not entitled to rehabilitation benefits.

The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the union.

The ruling has now been challenged before the Division Bench.

Senior Advocate Arundhati Katju, representing the union, voiced concerns about possible further demolitions, while DDA lawyer Prabhsahay Kaur argued that the colony is not eligible for rehabilitation under official guidelines.

The court will continue hearing the case on 22 April.

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