Since the night of June 10, a wave of anticipation has gripped the residents of Batla House, particularly those living in Khasra number 279, as they anxiously awaited for Wednesday — the day the Delhi High Court was scheduled to hear the PIL filed by Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan. For many, it represented a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak and uncertain situation.
Fresh tension sweeps through Batla House
However, just as the community clung to that hope, fresh tension swept through the area. The sudden arrival of senior police officials at Muradi Road on Wednesday evening, specifically in Khasra 279 of Batla House, sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood. Residents, visibly uneasy, gathered in small groups, speculating about the reason behind the unexpected visit.
On May 26, the DDA issued a demolition notice, citing a Supreme Court order dated May 7. The order directs the DDA to demolish all unauthorised structures located in Khasra Number 279 — a parcel of land measuring approximately 2.8 bighas (0.702 hectares) along Muradi Road in Okhla village.
The notice provides an exemption for homes covered under the Pradhan Mantri – Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY), a central government scheme aimed at granting legal ownership rights in unauthorised colonies. However, residents whose homes are not covered under PM-UDAY have been ordered to vacate within 15 days, with demolition slated to begin on June 11.
Since then, officials have visited the area multiple times for surveys, with Wednesday’s visit being the latest.
Social activist Md Sagheer, who has been closely following the developments in Batla House, said: “Senior officials arrived in the area shortly after the court’s directive was issued. Their presence has undoubtedly increased the anxiety among residents.”
Asjad Khan said people became distressed after seeing senior police officials in the area just a few hours after the court proceedings concluded. “It might be a coincidence, but residents fear that the demolition could happen tomorrow or any other day. This is not for the first time that officials had come in the area after the eviction notices. However, this time there were senior police officials. Many tenants have already started moving out — some left on Tuesday night, and others left today. Residents were expecting a stay order, but nothing of the sort was granted,” he said.
“Next three days will be crucial”
As uncertainty looms, the next three days will be crucial for many families living under the threat of demolition, said another resident. An affected resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, echoed the prevailing sentiment: “We were hoping for a stay order.”
“Now, no one knows what will happen in the next three days. Many of us will be rushing to seek legal recourse, as directed by the court,” he said, his voice filled with anxiety and urgency.
Although the court on Wednesday did not pass any order halting the DDA’s demolition plans, it permitted the local MLA Amanatullah Khan to inform residents of their right to pursue legal remedies within three working days. A source said the DDA refused to give any written assurance to the court that demolition would be paused during this period.
Court gave three days: Amanatullah
MLA Amanatullah Khan said: “The court gave three days. They were asked to assure that no demolition would take place during this time, but the DDA’s lawyers weren’t even willing to commit to that. You heard it — they wouldn’t even agree to a three-day pause. It seems they are prepared to demolish overnight. Now, the division bench has said that within these three working days, all affected people with notices can approach any court. They are free to challenge their demolition notices.”
In light of these developments, many Batla House residents remain deeply concerned that demolition could take place at any moment. For them, the next three days will be filled with stress and hardship. Since the notices were placed on their homes, many have been asserting that they possess valid documentation.
Sixty-year-old Jameel Ahmed, a Batla House resident who received relief from the court, claimed that his house — along with several others — was wrongfully marked for demolition, which is why he was granted a stay. “My father bought this land in the 1980s. No one ever said it belonged to the DDA. There were no signboards, no markings, and no prior notice,” he said, holding documents he claims to prove ownership. He said his house did not come in Khasra 279.
“The notices came without any information. Suddenly, we were told we have to leave our homes. Panic spread like wildfire,” said 61-year-old Sohrab Khan, a resident of Khasra 279 who has lived here for years.
Worry clearly visible on faces of residents
Worry and concern were clearly visible on the faces of Muradi Road Khasra 279 residents. On a hot summer night around 10 pm, when most people would typically prefer to stay indoors in the comfort of air-conditioning, many residents were out on the streets, gathered with friends and well-wishers, discussing the implications of Wednesday’s developments.
Former Jamia Millia Islamia student Haseeb, who was passing by, said the main topic of conversation was the urgent need to obtain a stay order. According to reliable sources, some residents are planning to approach the lower court to seek legal recourse. Many were seen huddled together in a nearby house, preparing the necessary documents.
Late into the night, meetings continued as residents explored legal options to prevent the demolition. “People are afraid that if they don’t act quickly, their homes will be reduced to rubble,” said one resident, who asked not to be named.
“Residents remain hopeful of getting justice”
Since then, residents have been scrambling to obtain a stay order, but so far, their efforts have been unsuccessful. “All our energy has been drained over the past 15 days,” said Sarfaraz Ahmed. Despite the setbacks, he added, residents remain hopeful of getting justice, as they have faith in the judiciary.
Sharing a heart-wrenching story about one of his neighbours, he said: “In my flat, there’s a man who bought his home by moonlighting at night and driving a rickshaw early in the morning. Just imagine what he must be going through now — his dream of having a place to share his joys and sorrows with his family is about to be reduced to rubble.”
Ashu Khan told the OT that when he visited Muradi Road Khasra 279 on Eid-ul-Adha, he found that most residents had not celebrated the Festival of Sacrifice, as the looming threat of demolition weighed heavily on them.
“Some families had planned weddings for their daughters after Bakrid, but they were in deep distress. The eviction notices made it impossible for them to focus on the celebrations,” he said. “Many of these residents have been living here since the 1970s, some with registered properties. How can demolition happen in such an area?”
