The Delhi High Court has directed the Special Task Force (STF) team to proceed with the prescribed plan as agreed between the various departments including I&FC, MCD, DJB and DDA.

The Court was considering a Writ-Petition filed by the Maharani Bagh Co-Operative Housing Building and Welfare Society Ltd. & Anr. seeking demolition of illegal constructions on both sides of Taimoor Nagar and Khizarabad drains and removal of all the silt and garbage up to Yamuna flood plains and implementation of Drainage Master Plan for NCT of Delhi, 2018 and Master Plan of Delhi, 2021 along with other reliefs.

The division-bench of Justice Pratibha M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora observed, "The Court has perused all the issues discussed and the action to be taken. The STF is directed to proceed ahead in the manner as recorded in the Minutes and agreed between the various departments including I&FC, MCD, DJB, DDA."

The Respondent was represented by CGSC Manish Mohan with Advocate Jatin Teotia and Advocate Samarth Talesara.

Counsel appearing for the Maharani Bagh Co-operative House Building and Welfare Society Ltd., & ANR. made some submissions in respect of the fencing and the manner in which equipment, cranes, JCB, etc., are being used for breaking walls and creating crates in the land etc. He averred that it is resulting in enormous disturbance to the residents of the area and submitted that a peripheral drain ought to be explored around the Maharani Bagh area considering it is a very low lying area and there is flooding in the colony from the ring road etc.

The Court looked into the minutes of the meeting which was held by the Special Task Force and accordingly directed to proceed ahead in the manner as recorded and issued two additional directions as well.

"All the remaining actions as per the extracted minutes above shall be carried out by the task force within the time lines agreed upon. It is noticed that in some of the issues, cooperation of the NHAI, the BSES, the concerned District Magistrate, and other officials etc. would be required. It is made clear that any of the authorities who are approached by Mr. Anil Kumar, who is the Chairman of the Task Force shall render all necessary cooperation to him for carrying out the work which has been directed by this Court. The concerned authorities shall render everyday cooperation and attend any meetings as may be directed by Mr. Anil Kumar. The timelines stipulated in the above," the Court observed.

The Petition was accordingly listed for January 27, 2025 for next hearing.

Cause Title: Court On Its Own Motion vs. Union Of India & Ors.

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Delhi High CourtJustice Pratibha M. SinghJustice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora

Sheetal Joon