Delhi High Court: The present petition was filed seeking directions against respondent, Delhi Development Authority (‘DDA’) to not disturb/demolish the Pakistani Hindu Refugee Camp at Majnu Ka Tilla, till some alternative piece of land was allotted to them, especially in view of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, through which, the Government wanted to give shelter to the persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Mini Pushkarna, J., directed respondent that no coercive action should be taken against petitioner, till the next date of hearing, i.e., 19-3-2024.
Counsel for petitioner submitted that a public notice dated 4-3-2024 was pasted in the area asking the residents to vacate the place by 6-3-2024, failing which respondent would demolish their Camp. It was submitted that the Pakistani Hindu Refugees have been living at Majnu Ka Tilla since many years, with basic facilities being provided by the authorities and the children of refugees were studying in the nearby Government Schools and their examinations were in progress at present.
Counsel for respondent submitted that an order dated 29-1-2024 was passed by the National Green Tribunal (‘NGT’), wherein, it was directed that all the encroachment on the Yamuna Flood Plain Zone adjacent to South of Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tilla on Yamuna River Belt in Delhi, should be removed. Counsel for respondent further submitted that cost had been imposed upon respondent and respondent was bound to follow the judicial orders. It was also submitted that though respondent might have all the sympathies with petitioner, however, respondent was bound by the directions that were passed by the NGT.
The Court noted that the Union of India had made a statement that it shall make endeavor to extend all support to the Hindu Community which had entered India from Pakistan and thus directed that no coercive action should be taken against petitioner, till the next date of hearing.
The matter would next be listed on 19-3-2024.
[Ravi Ranjan Singh v. DDA, 2024 SCC OnLine Del 1771, Order dated 12-3-2024]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For the Petitioner: R.K. Bali, Meghna Bali, Advocates
For the Respondent: Prabhsahay Kaur, SC; Bir Inder Singh Gurm, Pragati Singh, Bijendra Kumar, Advocates
