Jahangipuri demolitions halted, SC to take 'serious view' of all demolitions after its decision

The Supreme Court on Thursday has stayed the Jahangirpuri demolition drive for two weeks and says it will take a serious view if found that the demolition drive continued on Wednesday even after the SC's status quo order was passed.

The apex court was hearing a petition against a demolition drive in Jahangirpuri. "We want affidavits from the petitioner on the notices if served and counter-affidavits and till then status quo order will continue," the bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and BR Gavai said.

The matter will be heard after two weeks.

The SC has issued notice to North DMC and others on plea against the demolition drive in Jahangirpuri. It had said that the status quo has to be maintained, and asks North DMC and others to file a reply to the plea.

Bulldozers tore down several concrete and temporary structures close to a mosque in Jahangirpuri on Wednesday as part of an anti-encroachment drive by the BJP-ruled civic body, days after the northwest Delhi neighbourhood was rocked by communal violence. The Supreme Court on Wednesday intervened twice to stop the drive after it took cognizance of the petition filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind against the demolition.

Clashes had occurred in Jahangirpuri last Saturday, on Hanuman Jayanti, after a VHP 'shoba yatra' in the vicinity of a mosque. The demolition drive against encroachments was done four days after the clashes. Delhi Police, which reports to the Union home ministry, had over 400 personnel to oversee the corporation's 'anti-encroachment drive'.