Delhi HC orders DUSIB to draw up protocol for demolition

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to convene a meeting within four weeks of all the land owning agencies in Delhi and evolve a protocol of procedure for any demolition in future, irrespective of what stands these agencies may have with regard to the DUSIB Act.

The court said that there should be a protocol to carry out future demolition drives in the national capital by keeping in mind the constitutional rights of the individual.

A bench of justices S Muralidhar and Vibhu Bakhru expressed unhappiness on the manner in which a West Delhi slum cluster was recently razed to the ground.

It also said that while preparing the protocol, view of the people from the civil society group should also be considered and the police should participate in the deliberation of this policy.

The court has now fixed the matter for January 27 next year. It also impleaded Ministry of Urban Development as party to the petition and sought its response on whether it has any policy with regard to JJ cluster. The court's order came on a bunch of pleas filed including that of senior Congress leader Ajay Maken.