Delhi: Demolition drive stopped in violence-hit Jahangirpuri after SC order
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a stay on the anti-encroachment drive in Delhi's Jahangirpuri while scheduling the next hearing on Thursday. The anti-encroachment drive has since come to a halt after a brief commotion over it continuing despite the SC order. Earlier, nine bulldozers had started razing structures in Jahangirpuri per the orders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-controlled North Delhi Municipal Corporation.
Why does this story matter?
Delhi's Jahangirpuri remains sensitive in light of Saturday's communal clashes during a religious procession, where nine people—mostly police officers—were injured. The NDMC then launched an anti-encroachment drive in the area. The Delhi BJP had earlier made calls for the razing of illegal constructions of "rioters" after similar action in other states where communal clashes had occurred.
Why had the demolition drive not halted immediately?
NDMC officials earlier said that they had not received the SC order and would proceed appropriately after receiving it. The anti-encroachment drive had come under intense public scrutiny as it followed Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta's letter to the civic body, calling Saturday's violence a "conspiracy." However, the Delhi Police stated that no evidence yet suggests that Saturday's Jahangirpuri violence was pre-planned.
Mayor calls anti-encroachment drive 'routine'
On his part, NDMC Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said the anti-encroachment drive was a "routine exercise," according to PTI. Incidentally, Gupta's letter to the civic body had urged Singh to identify illegal constructions by "rioters" in Jahangirpuri and demolish them. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has deployed an "adequate" number of its personnel to supervise the anti-encroachment drive.
What has happened in the case so far?
The police have arrested 25 people in connection with Saturday's violence in Jahangirpuri. Five of the accused have been charged under the stringent National Security Act, allowing for detention without charge for a year. Since Saturday's communal clash—which erupted after a Hanuman Jayanti procession took a route alongside a mosque without obtaining prior permission—the police has been keeping a close watch.
Petition in SC over 'dangerous politics of bulldozers'
Separately, an Islamic organization Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind on Monday petitioned the Supreme Court to prohibit using bulldozers to demolish houses of those suspected of involvement in criminal incidents and violence. It requested the court to ensure no precipitative action is taken against any accused by the government until a court determines it. It asked the SC to issue necessary directions to the Centre and states.
