Khori Gaon Jhuggi: Supreme Court allows Aadhaar card as proof for displaced dwellers to apply for provisional accommodation

The Supreme Court on Friday directed Faridabad Municipal Corporation to accept applications for provisional allotment by the displaced Khori gaon slum dwellers even upon the production of either Aadhaar card or Parivaar Pehchan Patra (Municipal Corporation Faridabad v. Khori Gaon Residents Welfare Association)..The Bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari, however, clarified that this will only be applicable for provisional allotments and will have no bearing on the final allotments after draw of lots. ."For the time being, we direct the corporation to allow applications for provisional allotment by Aadhaar card or Parivar Pehchan Patra upon verification. This will not create any right in favour of any such person unless the person establishes eligibility as mandated under rehabilitation scheme. This observation is for interim arrangement and subject to outcome of pending proceedings," ordered the top court. .Though Additional Advocate General Arun Bhardwaj for the appearing for the municipal corporation submitted that Aadhaar could not be accepted, the Bench maintained that since the dwellers were having a difficult time finding other documents, it should be accepted for the purposes of provisional allotment. .Earlier, the municipal corporation had submitted before the top court, the housing and rehabilitation policy titled, 'Housing Plan for rehabilitation of Khori (Lakkarpur revenue estate) Jhuggi Dwellers sitting on land owned by Municipal Corporation, Faridabad' for rehabilitation of persons affected by the demolition of Khori Gaon jhuggis in Faridabad, Haryana.As per the policy, eligible residents have to submit application for allotment of flats to Municipal corporation, Faridabad by October 15, 2021.Scrutiny of applications will be completed by October 25 following which final list of allottees will be published by October 27 and the allotment letters will be issued by November 15, 2021.The policy was submitted in the case filed on behalf of about 1.5 lakh residents of the encroachment area seeking proper rehabilitation after their dwellings were demolished pursuant to the orders of the Supreme Court..The Court had then ordered that the corporation has to give provisional accommodation to the dwellers in State flats after provisional scrutiny which will be subject to the final adjudication and final draw of lots.The Court further stated that if at a later stage, an allottee is found to be not genuine, then such person can be evicted even with police force if needed..[Read Order]