GDA demolition drive in Bhovapur stayed

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) not to demolish houses allegedly built by encroaching upon public land in Bhovapur Basti, till further orders.

The court also asked the authority to propose a complete plan for rehabilitation of the residents of Bhovapur Basti by the next date of hearing.

The court has further directed the district administration of Ghaziabad to provide temporary shelter to residents of Bhovapur Basti whose houses have already been demolished and to see the viability of providing houses under the PM Avas Yojna.

The court has fixed November 18 as the next date of hearing in the case. The bench comprising chief justice Govind Marhur and justice Siddhartha Varma passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Dev Pal of Ghaziabad. The bench further directed GDA to make all necessary arrangements to ensure essential amenities including light and water to the residents of Bhovapur Basti till further orders. The counsel for the petitioner informed the court that about 150 houses were demolished on Tuesday and the residents do not have any roof to protect themselves and they are just sitting under the open sky.

According to the petitioner, the residents of the basti cannot be evicted without providing them an alternative place of residence as per law.

The court while passing various directions observed, “Primafacie, we are satisfied that the GDA should have offered a place to rehabilitate the residents of Bhovapur Basti before their eviction and the demolition of their houses. It would also be appropriate to state that when the entire globe is facing a pandemic, it is the responsibility of the state to protect everyone, more specifically the population of weaker sections from any hardship that may aggravate their plight adversely.