Court Raises Questions on Surat Demolitions
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday observed that the demolition of more than 100 houses in Nasirnagar, a minority-dominated locality in Surat, appeared to have been carried out under the guise of a demarcation drive. The court was hearing a petition challenging the demolition that took place in the last week of May.
Details of the Demolition
According to the petitioners, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the state government carried out the demolition without proper notice or legal sanction. The residents claimed that their homes were bulldozed overnight, leaving families homeless. The court noted that the action seemed to be a "demarcation drive" but was actually a demolition.
The bench of Justice Biren Vaishnav and Justice Niral Mehta remarked that the authorities could not demolish structures under the pretext of a survey or demarcation. The court directed the state government to file an affidavit explaining the legal basis for the action.
Impact on Residents
Over 100 houses were affected, displacing hundreds of residents. The petitioners argued that the demolition targeted a minority community and violated their right to shelter. The court has listed the matter for further hearing next week.
