SC modifies HC order based on Delhi govt plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has modified an order of the Delhi High Court, which had held that the responsibility to remove illegal encroachments from the carriageway at Chandni Chowk was of the Delhi government. A bench of Justices DY CHandrachud and Indu Malhotra said that the primary responsibility for this would be on the municipal corporation and that the Delhi government should assist the municipality.

The apex court noted that Section 317 (2) of the Delhi Corporation Act, 1957 casts an obligation on the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation to remove the encroachment. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by the Delhi government against the November 14, 2019 judgment of the high court.

The high court had placed the responsibility for ensuring compliance with regard to removal of encroachment in Chandni Chowk on

the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and particularly on the Additional Chief Secretary (Home). Earlier in 2015, the high court had directed the municipal corporation to remove encroachments by religious structures on the roads of Chandni Chowk and asked the government and the police to extend all cooperation to the civic agency on a plea filed by NGO Manushi Sangathan.

Later, the apex court in its order dated May 16, 2018, had held that responsibility to remove the encroachment is primarily of the civic body and the Delhi government must extend support to the corporation.

The apex bench, also comprising Justice KM Joseph, in its order said, The direction contained in paragraph 20 of the impugned judgment and order of the High Court will have to be modified so as to be consistent with what is set out in the order of this Court dated 16 May 2018 by which it was clarified that while the primary responsibility is cast upon the Municipal Corporation, the GNCTD shall extend necessary cooperation. We clarify accordingly.