NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has ordered to continue stay on the incident of demolishing encroachments in Jahangirpuri, where violence took place as part of the Hanuman Jayanti processions. The court said that the petitions against the eviction would be considered in two weeks. The court has ordered to continue the stay on the eviction procedures. The court also ruled that demolition should not take place until further notice.

The court also directed the petitioner to submit an affidavit stating whether he received a notice or not. The Solicitor General had stated that the eviction of the slums was done by giving notice and that the eviction process was legal. The court also directed the North Delhi Municipal corporation to file a counter affidavit in this regard.

Four petitions were submitted before the court. The court has heard the pleas filed by Ganesh Gupta, a trader in Jahangirpuri and CPM PB member Brinda Karat.

A petition seeking compensation is also before the court. The court had asked what national significance was behind the eviction of the slum. The plaintiffs argued that only one category was being targeted. The Solicitor General was asked to present arguments rooted in facts.Dushyant Dave, a senior advocate in the Supreme Court, brought the matter to the attention of the court yesterday morning. Demolition of encroachments in the riot-hit Jahangirpuri is illegal and unconstitutional. The corporation’s move came without any notice. As per municipal corporation law, a notice has to be issued before ten days. They have the right to file an appeal against the notice. They have not been given the opportunity, pointed out Dave. This is a violation of Delhi MCD Act, he added.

The plan was to demolish the buildings at 2 pm, but the demolition process began at 9 am, knowing that the matter would be taken to court, said Dave. The court also expressed dissatisfaction with the North Delhi Corporation's actions after the order was issued. The bench led by Chief Justice N V Ramana pronounced the stay order while the demolition of buildings was in progress.