"You know what to do:" Supreme Court refuses to halt demolition of settlements housing over 1 lakh people in Khori Gaon, Faridabad

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to halt the demolition of over 10,000 settlements housing over 1 lakh people at Khori Gaon in Faridabad district, Haryana for encroachment on forest land.

. A Bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari passed the order in a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking stay on the demolition.

. " In our opinion, no indulgence is required to be shown by this Court at this stage. The petitioners would be permitted to produce documents at the (Faridabad) Corporation. The people had enough opportunity to vacate the forest land after February, 2020. Petitioners were obligated to provide documents to come under the rehabilitation scheme, which they have failed to do. We have recorded the submission that clearance of unlawful encroachment on forest land will be carried out as per due process of law. The Corporation and State may proceed on the basis of the commitment give to Court on earlier occasion and in order dated June 7, 2021. Nothing more is required to be said in this petition ," the Court stated in its order.

. Advocate Aparna Bhat, arguing for the petitioner, stated that even as the hearing proceeds, forceful eviction was taking place.

. However, the top court replied,

"Yes let them do it."

. Bhat argued that at least a temporary shelter should be provided for the children who will be evicted during the pandemic.

In response, the Court clarified that it is up to the State of Haryana to look into this issue.

. When the Haryana government submitted that encroachers are pelting stones on officials, the Supreme Court said that no order was required and that the authorities "knew what to do."

. The Bench added,

"We make it clear that the pendency of the proceedings here will not come in the way of clearing the encroachments."

. The matter will now be heard on July 27.

. On June 7, the top court had directed the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad to use " police force, if needed " to remove all jhuggis and encroachments on Khori Gaon forest land within six weeks.

. The Municipal Corporation of Faridabad was directed to proceed as per the Court's February 2020 order. The State government was directed to give necessary logistical support to enable the Corporation to evict the occupants on forest land and clear encroachments.

.[Faridabad Khori Gaon demolition] Evict occupants on forest land, clear encroachments within six weeks: Supreme Court says "no compromise". The PIL in the Supreme Court sought directions to the authorities to follow the rehabilitation procedure before conducting any demolition drive. It also prayed for temporary shelter to be given to the evicted slum dwellers in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown imposed by the Haryana government to contain the spread of disease.

. "All around the world, people are being encouraged to stay indoors as a house is the most effective frontline defense against covid-19 pandemic, therefore, evicting the slum dwellers at Khori Goan during pandemic would make them vulnerable to the disease," the plea stated.

. [READ LIVE ACCOUNT OF HEARING]

"You know what to do:" Supreme Court refuses to halt demolition of settlements housing over 1 lakh people in Khori Gaon, Faridabad

Debayan Roy

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