Forced, unannounced eviction of slum dwellers contrary to law: HC

The Delhi High Court on Monday said forced and unannounced eviction of jhuggi dwellers is contrary to law and the authorities should ensure that the displaced people are immediately rehabilitated.

The court said before carrying out an eviction drive, the authorities will have to conduct detailed survey, draw up a rehabilitation plan in consultation with the dwellers in the JJ bastis and jhuggis and ensure that after eviction they are immediately rehabilitated.

"Forced eviction of jhuggi dwellers, unannounced, in co-ordination with the other agencies, and without compliance with the above steps, would be contrary to the law...," a bench of justices S Muralidhar and Vibhu Bhakru said.

The bench observed that "the right to housing is a bundle of rights not limited to a bare shelter over one's head. It includes the right to livelihood, right to health, right to education and right to food, including right to clean drinking water, sewerage and transport facilities."