2 days ago
Gujarat High Court Questions Nasirnagar Demolition Inquiry
The Gujarat High Court is reviewing the demolition of homes in Nasirnagar, Surat.
Some residents say the replacement homes they were shown were damaged or different from what they were promised.
They also said the housing draw could give families homes of very different quality.
The Surat Municipal Corporation disagrees and says the residents’ evidence is not accurate.
The court said families whose homes were completely destroyed must receive alternative housing.
It said partly damaged homes should be repaired.
The judges also questioned whether the demolition inquiry could appear fair if some involved officials remained in powerful positions.
The next hearing is scheduled for September 29.
Nasirnagar residents told the Gujarat High Court they rejected alternative homes because some were dilapidated or offered at changed locations.
Residents said they had initially accepted houses at Jahangirpura under the PM Awas Yojana before the site was changed without notice.
The Surat Municipal Corporation disputed claims that the offered accommodation was uninhabitable and said the residents’ photographs were inaccurate.
The court said fully demolished homes require alternate accommodation, while partially demolished structures should be repaired and restored.
The court questioned why DCP R Nakum remained in position after SMC Commissioner M Nagrajan was transferred during the ongoing inquiry.
- Who
- Nasirnagar residents, the Surat Municipal Corporation, Gujarat government officials, and the Gujarat High Court, including Justice Nikhil Kariel.
- What
- The court is examining rehabilitation arrangements and the fairness and responsibility surrounding the Nasirnagar demolition inquiry.
- Where
- Nasirnagar in Surat, Gujarat, with alternative housing discussed at Jahangirpura and other locations.
- When
- The hearing took place on Friday; the demolitions occurred on May 30, and the next hearing is scheduled for September 29.
- Why
- Residents challenged the condition and location of replacement homes, while the court examined whether the demolition and inquiry were fair and whether officials should be held responsible.
Residents’ Position
Authorities’ Position
Condition and location of replacement homes
Residents’ Position
Residents said they were initially shown acceptable homes at Jahangirpura, but the site was changed without notice and some replacement homes were dilapidated.
Authorities’ Position
The Surat Municipal Corporation said the claim that the accommodation was uninhabitable was strongly disputed and that the photographs submitted were inaccurate.
Fairness of the inquiry
Residents’ Position
The petitioners argued that the demolition and its aftermath required scrutiny, including examination of the roles of officials involved.
Authorities’ Position
The government said a separate inquiry had already been initiated against DCP R Nakum in connection with a custodial-torture video case and that a recommendation had been sent.
Nature of the demolition
Residents’ Position
The petitioners contended that the demolition may have resulted from a deliberate design.
Authorities’ Position
The authorities’ position, as framed by the court, was that the events could instead have resulted from officials’ over-enthusiasm; the court said it was examining both possibilities.
Key facts
- Affected area
- Nasirnagar, Surat
- Demolition date
- May 30
- Proposed housing
- Homes at Jahangirpura under the PM Awas Yojana were initially discussed
- Residents’ objection
- Some alternative homes were alleged to be dilapidated or at different locations
- Corporation’s response
- The Surat Municipal Corporation disputed the residents’ claims and the accuracy of their photographs
- Police official questioned
- Deputy Commissioner of Police R Nakum
- Next hearing
- September 29
Quotes
Petitioners’ counsel
Lawyer representing residents challenging the Nasirnagar demolition and rehabilitation arrangements
“Persons living in fully demolished houses will be entitled to alternate accommodation. And partially demolished, we have put it for them to repair it… so that they can make it usable as it was prior to demolition”
indianexpress.com
“The entire exercise by the government, our primary observation was, it has not only to be fair, it has to be seen or perceived to be fair. How will that fairness continue?”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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