The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to grant a stay on the demolition drives in Batla House, dismissing the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan. The court, however, granted Khan the liberty to inform local residents of their right to approach the court individually with their grievances.

Khan had filed a PIL arguing that several residents facing demolition notices from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) were not residing on Khasra No. 279 – the land in question – and therefore should not be subjected to the demolition action. He claimed that the notices had been served to properties falling outside the demarcated zone.

During the hearing, the court noted that some of the aggrieved individuals had already filed writ petitions before a single bench of the High Court and were granted interim protection. The division bench observed that issuing a blanket protective order in a PIL could undermine those individual proceedings and have a bearing on their challenges to the demolition notices.

The hearing itself took several turns as the court revised its position multiple times before issuing its final ruling. Initially, the bench dictated an order stating that the petitioner would withdraw the PIL, individuals could approach the court within three days, and that the DDA would not carry out any demolitions during that period. However, that direction was withdrawn when the DDA declined to make any such assurance on record.

Following this, the court dictated a second order dismissing the PIL outright and asserted that a general stay could not be granted. On Khan’s request, the bench modified its stand to allow a three-day window for residents to take individual legal action but reiterated that no stay would be granted, nor would the DDA pause the demolitions.

Eventually, the court passed a final order simply recording the withdrawal of the PIL and allowing the petitioner to inform the affected individuals of their right to seek relief through appropriate legal channels.

This decision has further intensified concerns among residents of Batla House’s Muradi Road and adjoining lanes, many of whom say their homes do not fall within Khasra 279 and that demolition notices were served incorrectly. As the deadline for eviction looms, residents are racing against time to file individual petitions and secure interim protection.