NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court has agreed to examine next month an appeal filed by individual residents challenging the rejection of their claim for rehabilitation after being removed from Bhoomiheen Camp in south Delhi following a demolition drive by DDA.
Justices Girish Kathpalia and Tejas Karia directed that the appeals be listed on July 7 before the designated roster bench for hearing.
The petitions also challenged the green signal given to DDA by a single-judge bench of HC to remove encroachments and clear the land near Kalkaji area. However, by the time the appeals could be taken up last week, DDA had already razed several single and double-storey structures.
“At the outset, learned counsel for appellants submits that these applications have become infructuous because the respondent demolished the premises. Accordingly, the applications are disposed of as infructuous,” the bench recorded, disposing of the plea that sought urgent relief.
In their appeal, many of those removed from the camp and adjoining slums questioned their exclusion from the list of residents found eligible for rehabilitation by DDA. They also challenged the rejection of their documentary proof by the land-owning agency, due to which they were found ineligible for rehabilitation.
DDA carried out a demolition drive in Bhoomiheen Camp after HC, in orders on May 26 and June 6, dismissed a batch of petitions of over 400 petitioners. According to DDA, based on DUSIB policy, which includes dwellers staying in JJ colonies before Jan 1, 2015, 1,862 households from the camp were found eligible and allotted EWS category flats at Kalkaji Extension.
