SC stays anti-encroachment drive in Delhi's Jahangirpuri, orders status-quo
New Delhi, April 20: The Supreme Court has stopped the demolition drive in Delhi's Jahangirpuri, and has agreed to take up plea against the razing of houses of riot accused.
Communal clashes broke out in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on Saturday evening. The Delhi Police has been investigating the matter and 25 adults and two juveniles have been held so far.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta alleged that those accused of rioting in Jahangirpuri had built ‘illegal constructions’ in the area and demanded that these be demolished. The North Delhi Municipal Corporation had earlier announced an anti-encroachment drive in the region on Wednesday and Thursday.
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North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said the direction of the apex court would be followed. "We will follow the Supreme Court order and take action accordingly," said Raja Iqbal Singh.
Meanwhile, the Zone Chairman of Civil Lines, Northwest Delhi, Naveen Tyagi said, "These people do encroachment and also do 'goondagardi'. Some of them are also named in the riots."
Earlier in the day, bulldozers arrived at the violence-hit Jahangirpuri to demolish the illegally constructed slum and shops in the area. The anti-encroachment drive was set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday all across the national capital.
Special CP Dependra Pathak also took stock of the situation in Jahangirpuri which witnessed violence on April 16 during a religious procession. This anti-encroachment drive was scheduled by the NDMC to remove the illegal construction in the Jahangirpuri area on Wednesday and Thursday.
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An altercation between two groups erupted during a religious procession in Delhi's Jahangirpuri on April 16 that left nine persons injured, including eight police personnel and a civilian. A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident.
-PTC News
