NEW DELHI – Residents of Muradi Road in Batla House, a densely populated part of Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, are living in fear after the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) pasted demolition notices on hundreds of houses, warning of bulldozer action from 11 June 2025.
The warning came after a Supreme Court verdict on 7 May in favour of DDA’s claim over Khasra number 279, declaring it an encroached land. However, residents allege that the DDA has now wrongly issued notices to houses built on Khasra numbers 281 to 285 as well — plots not covered under the court’s verdict.
“I have lived here since my childhood. My parents built this house over 50 years ago. Now they’re telling us to vacate it as if we’re criminals,” said Khalid Jameel, a 62-year-old shop owner whose home has been marked by DDA staff.
Hundreds of families are in shock. Many have been living here for generations. They say no proper survey has been done, no prior hearings were held, and no alternative housing has been offered.
“We are not against the law. But what law is this where one order is passed for Khasra 279, and you come to remove people from other areas too?” asked Shabana Begum, a widow living with her two daughters. “Where will we go in just a few days? The government treats us like we’re not even humans.”
Residents say that the entire locality now feels tense. Some children have stopped going to school out of fear. Shopkeepers say they’ve seen a drop in daily footfall since the notices appeared.
Local leaders and activists are preparing to file a fresh petition in the Supreme Court, alleging DDA has gone beyond the land specified in the court order.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
