Delhi High Court gives slum dwellers near PM Modi's residence 6 weeks to move to DUSIB colony

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the residents of three slum clusters near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in the Race Course area to vacate within 6 weeks and move to the alternative location provided by government authorities.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that after 6 weeks, the government can clear the land with the help of the police.

"The appellants shall vacate the dwelling in the three jhuggi jhopris within six weeks from today. And within this period, they shall be provided with the accommodations allotted to them in DUSIB Colony. Whereafter, they shall be evicted to clear the land, if necessary, with the assistance of the police," the Court ordered.

It ruled that there had been no violation of the rehabilitation policy in moving the residents in this case.

However, the Division Bench said that the government will be bound by its undertakings and the Court's previous orders requiring availability of amenities at DUSIB Colony .

The Court has also constituted a committee under former Delhi judge Manmohan Sharma to monitor the rehabilitation of residents and to ensure that the amenities promised to them by the government are provided. The committee will also consist of members from various departments of the Delhi government and the Central government.

It ordered the government to notify the constitution of this committee immediately.

The Division Bench passed the order while dealing with appeals filed by residents of Bhai Ram Camp, DID Camp and Masjid Camp against a single judge's order upholding their eviction from these camps. The camps are located near the Race Course area and the residents are being relocated to a DUSIB Colony in Savda Ghevra, outer Delhi.

Several residents of the 3 slums approached the High Court stating that shifting hundreds of families far from their current homes would disrupt livelihoods, education and access to healthcare. They said that many of them work as drivers, domestic workers and labourers in central Delhi and that relocation would place their jobs and schooling at risk.

The Central government defended the eviction citing national security concerns, stating the camps are located next to sensitive military installations near an operational Air Force station

It argued that sewer lines, water supply, parks and roads already exist at the relocation site, while further infrastructure is being developed. The Court was also told that the government has agreed to bear the ₹1.12 lakh beneficiary contribution ordinarily payable by residents under rehabilitation rules, with families given 3 months to pay maintenance charges.

After considering the case, the single judge passed an order on May 11, 2026, directing the residents to leave the area in 15 days.

The Court acknowledged that the right to shelter and livelihood are protected under Article 21 of the Constitution and are intricately connected to the right to life. However, it added that rehabilitation itself would not violate constitutional rights if authorities comply with rehabilitation policies and ensure adequate facilities.

While disposing of the residents' appeals against this judgement, the Division Bench today modified the order, giving them 6 weeks to leave the area.

Advocates Pankaj Sinha, Garima and Sunil Tiwari appeared for petitioners Khushnuma Khan and others. 

Senior Advocate Sandeep Sharma with Advocates Javed and Kavya Dauk represented petitioners Rakesh Bansal and others. 

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma along with aAdvocates Syed Abdul Haseeb, Nasreen Khatoon, Muhammad Aamir Khan, Syed Abdur Rahman, Piyush Gupta, Atishay Jain, Vishesh Goel, Shrey Sharawat and Himanshu Sihag appeared for the Union of India.

Advocates Anuj Chaturvedi, Richa Dhawan and Yashita Jain represented DUSIB.