The Supreme Court on Wednesday halted the anti-encroachment drive in Delhi's Jahangirpuri. The apex court ordered 'status quo' and will hear the matter on Thursday.
The court's order came even as bulldozers had rolled into the area on Wednesday morning to demolish houses of those accused in the violence that occurred in Jahangirpuri on April 16.
A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said the petition would be listed before an appropriate bench. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave mentioned a petition against the special joint encroachment removal action of civic bodies including the NDMC and the PWD, and said a completely unauthorised and unconstitutional demolition has been ordered. He alleged that the demolition, which was to start at 2pm on Wednesday, has begun at 9am and no mandatory notice for demolition has been served on the alleged violators.
The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) had requested the Delhi Police to deploy at least 400 personnel to maintain law and order ahead of the drive.
The area witnessed violent clashes, including stone pelting, arson and firing, between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on Saturday. Eight police personnel and a local resident had sustained injuries.
-with PTI inputs
