NDMC defends demolition drive in Jahangirpuri, says allegation of targeting particular religion is 'false'
New Delhi, May 9: The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) on Monday while defending its decision informed the Supreme Court that the allegation claiming the demolition drive in the Jahangirpuri area was targeting a particular religion was 'false.'
In an affidavit filed in response to Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind's plea against the demolition drive in Jahangirpuri, NDMC said that the petitioner has unfortunately projected a completely false picture in order to create prejudice and to achieve some other objectives.
NDMC further stated that the petitioner has given misrepresentation before this Court relating to the respondent Corporation demolishing the properties without notice and this was done selectively targeting a particular religion.
"The petition deserves to be dismissed only on the ground that the petitioner has while invoking the equity jurisdiction of this Hon'ble Court, resorted to falsehood and has, unfortunately, attempted to sensationalize a routine administrative exercise by giving it an unwarranted communal colour," the NDMC stated.
It further added that concerned authorities have taken the exercise undertaken on 20.4.2022 was in compliance with the directions issued by the High Court of Delhi as the Courts have time and again issued orders to the Municipal Authorities to clear the right of ways and the footpaths from the encroachments.
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"It clearly appears that it is for this reason that the petitioner has lent its name suppressing the above-referred facts and has attempted to communally sensationalize an otherwise routine administrative exercise which was being undertaken under the orders of the High Court of Delhi and not targeting any religion or community," it said.
It also mentioned, "The above-referred facts and the list will also show that the petitioner chose to refer to any particular religion or community but the law-enforcing authorities while exercising their powers under section 322 of the Act exercised their powers based only on the illegality being dealt with irrespective of the religion."
NDMC further demanded to take a serious view of an organisation filing such litigation without any locus standi.
Concerning the continued demolition after the school's status quo, NDMC stated that as soon as the Legal Consultant verified this fact and informed me about the status-quo order and the corporation's stop, the ongoing process was immediately halted.
"It was, however, found prudent to remove the debris lying on the road so as to ensure that there was no hindrance to the traffic movement and that the bricks and other things lying may not be used for any other unlawful purposes. That process of removal of above hindrances continued some time," NDMC informed.
On Monday, the Supreme Court adjourned the matter for July for further hearing.
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-PTC News
