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🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

'Time can't cure illegality': SC orders demolition of illegal structures in UP's Meerut

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • The Supreme Court ordered the demolition of all unauthorized structures in Meerut, India, including illegal additions and encroachments.
  • The court ruled that illegal constructions cannot be legitimized by time or official inaction, emphasizing that no one is above the law.
  • Authorities must demolish commercial illegal properties and offending portions of residential houses converted for commercial use, recovering costs from owners.

The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern order for the demolition of all unauthorized structures in Meerut and its surrounding areas. The court emphasized that illegal constructions cannot gain legitimacy through the passage of time or due to inaction by authorities. Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan stated in their order that courts, as guardians of rights, must deliver rulings that people may not wish to hear, asserting that "no man is above the law."

No man is above the law, and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man’s permission when we ask him to obey it. Obedience to the law is demanded as a right; not asked as a favor. We are guardians of rights, and we have to tell people things they often do not like to hear.

— Supreme Court benchThe court's ruling on the illegality of constructions and the necessity of obeying the law.

The sweeping directives came as the court monitored compliance in a contempt case concerning rampant illegal constructions in Meerut. Many residential properties had been converted into commercial establishments like schools, hospitals, and banks, in clear violation of planning laws. The court noted that 44 identified illegal commercial properties had already been sealed.

For commercial illegal properties, the court mandated demolition at the earliest. In cases where residential houses had been partially converted for commercial purposes with unauthorized additions, authorities are directed to identify the offending portions, issue 15-day demolition notices, and proceed with demolition if owners fail to comply. The cost of demolition will be recovered from the owners as arrears of land revenue.

We direct that all setback areas of each and every property shall be demolished.

— Supreme Court benchThe court's order regarding violations of setback areas.

The bench also issued strong directions regarding setback violations, rejecting all pleas for regularization. "We direct that all setback areas of each and every property shall be demolished," the order stated. The court also rejected the Uttar Pradesh Housing and Development Board's request to allow compounding of unauthorized additional floors in EWS houses, citing regulations that prohibit such constructions if they are inconsistent with the master plan.

There is no question of compounding...We make it abundantly clear.

— Supreme Court benchThe court's rejection of pleas to regularize unauthorized additional floors in EWS houses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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