Residents of Delhi’s Okhla Village Fear Looming Demolition Following SC Order

Residents of Jamia Nagar face anxiety following a Supreme Court order to demolish illegal constructions in Delhi’s Okhla village, The Clarion reported. The directive targets encroachments on over four bighas of public land in Khasra number 279 near Muradi Road and the Khalilullah Mosque. This follows recent demolitions in Taimur Nagar and Khizrabad, where more than 100 homes were razed.

A bench led by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjwal Bhuiyan instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi government to remove illegal structures within three months, mandating a 15-day prior notice to affected residents. The ruling arises from a contempt petition linked to a 2018 order against illegal encroachments.

Local residents expressed confusion and frustration over lack of notice, with some planning legal action. The disputed land includes historically significant sites like the tomb of Syed Khizr Khan.