The Delhi High Court has given residents of three slum clusters near the Prime Minister’s official residence six weeks to vacate their homes and relocate to alternative accommodation at the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) Colony in Savda Ghevra.
A bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed residents of Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp and DID Colony to move within the stipulated period. Authorities can evict residents after six weeks, if necessary, with police assistance to clear the land.
The court also formed a monitoring committee headed by retired Delhi judge Man Mohan Sharma to supervise the rehabilitation process. The panel will include senior officials from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, DUSIB, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Jal Board, education and health departments.
The committee will monitor relocation for six months and ensure residents receive promised facilities, including schools, electricity, LPG connections, bus passes and dispensaries. DUSIB has also been directed to arrange transportation for household belongings.
The court stressed that rehabilitation must protect the residents’ right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The Centre had sought eviction, citing security concerns because the clusters are located in a protected area near an operational Air Force Station. It said clearing the unauthorised structures was necessary to safeguard defence infrastructure.
The case involves 717 residents who are being shifted to Savda Ghevra after the court rejected their challenge to the eviction process.
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