New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has directed the authorities to strictly implement all commitments made relating to the rehabilitation of jhuggi-jhopri (JJ) dwellers proposed to be relocated to Savda Ghevra, whereas emphasising that rehabilitation have to be carried out in a fashion that safeguards the residents’ proper to reside with dignity.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia handed the interim instructions whereas listening to appeals filed by Rakesh Bansal and others, and Khushnuma Khan and others, difficult a judgment of a Single Judge dated May 11, 2026.
The appellants have been represented by Senior Advocate N Hariharan together with advocates Javed Ahmad, Vivek Jain, Varun Singh, Punya Rekha Angara, Aman Akhtar, Arjan Singh Mandla, Mohd. Atif, Kaleem Saifi, Mohd. Sunail, Aakriti Adtiya, Parijat, Bhumi Sharma and Urvashi Chauhan. Other showing counsel for the appellants included Pankaj Sinha, Humaira Salam, Sunil Tiwari, Sherman Rawat, Aastha Vishwakarma, Harshit Jain, Shivang Rawat, Vikas Rathee and Vansh Kapoor.
The Union of India was represented by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma together with CGSCs SA Haseeb and Ashish Ok Dixit, and advocates Amit Gupta, RV Prabhat, Shubham Sharma, Yash Wardhan and Naman. DUSIB was represented by advocates Anuj Chaturvedi and Yashita Jain, assisted by Principal Director P.Ok. Jha and Legal Advisor Pranav Siroha.
The appeals come up from the proposed relocation of JJ dwellers and issues raised relating to the adequacy of services out there on the rehabilitation website in Savda Ghevra. The Single Judge had directed the authorities to adjust to the DUSIB rehabilitation coverage, guarantee important facilities on the relocation website and require residents who had acquired allotments to vacate the present camps inside the stipulated interval.
During the appellate proceedings, the Division Bench sought detailed affidavits from the authorities relating to the supply of faculties, transport services, water provide, sanitation, healthcare and different civic facilities at Savda Ghevra.
The appellants contended that the relocation website lacked sufficient infrastructure and highlighted issues regarding entry to markets, water and electrical energy provide, healthcare companies, academic services, safety, baby security and general habitability. It was additionally argued that Savda Ghevra is located on the outskirts of Delhi, removed from the present locations of residence and livelihood of many affected households.
On the opposite hand, the Union Government, the Land and Development Office (L&DO) and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) submitted that the land presently occupied by the dwellers is required for safety issues and the event of defence infrastructure. The authorities assured the Court that sufficient preparations have been being made to make sure significant rehabilitation of the affected households.
The Court recorded submissions that the Government had determined to bear the beneficiary contribution in any other case payable below the rehabilitation coverage. It was additionally acknowledged that every one affected JJ dwellers, no matter questions relating to eligibility, could be supplied housing items as a part of the rehabilitation train. According to the authorities, out of 717 households recognized for relocation, 248 had already accepted allotments and a number of other had shifted to the newly allotted flats.
Affidavits filed earlier than the Court detailed the infrastructure out there on the relocation website. The authorities acknowledged that the colony is related by railway, metro and bus companies and is situated close to main highway networks. Information relating to authorities and MCD faculties in and across the space, together with instructor energy and admission capability, was additionally positioned earlier than the Bench.
The affidavits additional acknowledged that electrical energy connections, avenue lighting, water provide infrastructure, underground reservoirs, sewerage techniques, roads, parks and safety preparations can be found on the website. Details relating to close by healthcare services, together with dispensaries and Sanjay Gandhi Government Hospital, have been additionally furnished.
Delhi HC directs authorities to make sure dignified rehabilitation of JJ dwellers, orders metro journey facility, camp workplace at Savda GhevraDuring the listening to, the respondents moreover undertook to supply one ceiling fan and one induction cooker to every relocated household. DUSIB additionally assured the Court that help could be supplied for securing LPG connections on the earliest.
The Court was additional knowledgeable that one member of every beneficiary household could be supplied an AC bus go for one yr at a time, renewable as much as a complete interval of three years. Female beneficiaries would proceed to have entry to free bus journey below present schemes of the Delhi Government.
After contemplating the affidavits and submissions, the Bench noticed that whereas efforts appeared to have been made to supply facilities, it was vital to determine whether or not the services claimed have been truly out there on the bottom.
As an interim measure, the Court directed strict compliance with all statements and undertakings contained within the affidavits filed by DUSIB and L&DO, warning that any violation could be seen critically. The Bench additionally directed the authorities to make preparations at no cost Delhi Metro journey for one member of every relocated household for an preliminary interval of 1 yr.
The Court additional ordered DUSIB to determine a camp workplace on the relocation website inside 4 days. The camp workplace is to be staffed around the clock by accountable officers from DUSIB, Delhi Jal Board and the involved electrical energy company to handle grievances regarding civic facilities and rehabilitation points.
Additionally, the Court directed that kids of relocated households be granted admission in close by authorities and MCD faculties and that officers posted on the camp workplace help households in securing admissions. The course was made binding upon each the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Education Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi.
Stressing that rehabilitation have to be applied in a fashion per the appropriate to rehabilitation and the appropriate to reside with dignity, the Court warned that any non-compliance with its instructions could be handled critically. The matter has been listed for additional listening to on July 1, 2026. (ANI)