Court cracks whip on ‘illegal stay’ in park

The Delhi high court has said the right to life of residents of the national capital cannot be compromised by allowing activities such as encroachments, which could lead to insanitary conditions.

A bench of acting chief justice Gita Mittal and justice C Hari Shankar made the observations while dismissing a plea seeking review of the high court’s May 16 order declining to stay the demolition of some structures at Amir Khusro Park next to Sundar Nagar.

The review plea was moved by some people who were living inside the park and claimed to be the descendants of past caretakers of a shrine there.

Terming the review petitioners as “interlopers”, the court has said it was “clearly evident” that these people had encroached over the park on which they have no right, title or interest.

It also noted that there were no sewage or sanitation facilities on the land in question and if habitation was permitted in the park there would be issues of garbage dumping as well as urination and defecation.

The bench noted that there were complaints against the review petitioners of indulging in land grabbing and committing fraud by renting out portions of the land. The court directed the police to file a status report and listed the matter for further hearing on July 24. HTC