NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) not to demolish two houses belonging to individuals accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi violence case, in which a 26-year-old man was killed.
Several people, including a minor, have been apprehended in connection with the incident in southwest Delhi.
Hearing petitions filed by two women, Justice Amit Bansal instructed civic authorities to maintain status quo until the matter is taken up again on March 11.
“Between now, 4 pm, and 10.30 am tomorrow (March 11), when this matter is taken up, nothing should happen. List tomorrow,” the judge told MCD’s counsel.
The petitions were filed by Jarina, the mother of accused Imran, and Shahnaz, whose juvenile children were questioned by the police. Both women approached the court seeking protection for their homes in JJ Colony, alleging the threat of “arbitrary and illegal demolition.”
During the hearing, the authorities’ counsel requested the court to take up the matter on Wednesday. The petitioners’ lawyer argued that interim protection was necessary as their houses could be demolished at any moment.
On March 8, the MCD partially demolished the house of one of the accused, stating that the structure had been built on a drain. Officials also said the civic body was not required to issue prior notice during an anti-encroachment drive.
In her petition, Jarina argued that the demolition of another accused person’s house had created fear and insecurity in the locality, raising concerns that her home might also be demolished without due legal process.
The petition further contended that demolition cannot be used as a punitive measure in criminal cases and that authorities must issue a show-cause notice and provide an opportunity for a hearing before taking such action. According to the plea, no such procedure was followed.
Both petitioners also claimed that a “purely personal dispute” had been given a communal angle, alleging that certain religious groups and anti-social elements had threatened them.
According to the petitions, the violence began with a minor dispute between children playing with balloons during Holi, which escalated into a clash between two neighbouring families.
Despite the dispute being personal in nature, the petitioners alleged that misinformation was spread portraying the incident as a communal attack, leading to heightened tensions in the area.
They further claimed that a mob later gathered in the locality, forcibly entered houses linked to the accused by breaking locks and doors, vandalised the properties, and set parts of the houses on fire.
