Archive · 20 Jul 2026
Gujarat High Court questions Surat Municipal Commissioner's role in demolitions
The Gujarat High Court is questioning why the Surat Municipal Commissioner has not been investigated despite serious allegations related to the demolition of around 100 shanties in Nasir Nagar.
The court finds the state government's response inadequate and suggests official complicity.
A suspended municipal officer claims the demolitions were ordered by the Municipal Commissioner.
The court also questions why the rehabilitation of affected residents should be funded by the public exchequer.
The state government has assured the court that the committee's mandate will be revised.
The Gujarat High Court questioned why no inquiry has been initiated against the Surat Municipal Commissioner despite serious allegations related to the demolition of around 100 shanties.
The court described the state government's response as an 'eyewash' and suggested official complicity.
A suspended municipal officer, Sujal Prajapati, claimed in an affidavit that the demolitions were carried out on the instructions of the Municipal Commissioner.
The court questioned why the rehabilitation of affected residents should be funded by the public exchequer.
The state government assured the court that the committee's mandate would be revised to address the court's concerns.
- Who
- Gujarat High Court, Surat Municipal Corporation, Gujarat State Government, affected residents, Municipal Commissioner, suspended municipal officer Sujal Prajapati
- What
- Demolition of around 100 shanties in Nasir Nagar, Surat, and subsequent legal proceedings and inquiries
- When
- Demolition occurred on May 30; court hearings and inquiries are ongoing
- Where
- Surat, Gujarat, India
- Why
- The demolitions were allegedly carried out on private land, and the court is seeking accountability and rehabilitation for the affected residents.
Gujarat High Court
Gujarat State Government
Inquiry against Municipal Commissioner
Gujarat High Court
The court questioned why no preliminary or disciplinary inquiry had been initiated against the Municipal Commissioner despite serious allegations.
Gujarat State Government
The state government has not initiated an inquiry against the Municipal Commissioner, only suspending subordinate officers.
Nature of the committee constituted by the state
Gujarat High Court
The court described the committee as a mere 'fact-finding exercise' with no mechanism for fixing responsibility, calling it an 'eyewash'.
Gujarat State Government
The state government claims that several high-level meetings have been held and assured the court that the committee's mandate would be revised.
- Date of Demolition
- May 30
- Number of Shanties Demolished
- Around 100
- Location of Demolition
- Nasir Nagar, Ved Road area, Surat
- Number of Families Displaced
- As many as the number of shanties demolished
- Number of Affected Residents Challenging the Action
- Twenty-six
- Number of Civic Officials Suspended
- Five
- Name of Suspended Municipal Officer Who Filed Affidavit
- Sujal Prajapati
- Advocate General Representing the State
- Kamal Trivedi