The Delhi High Court has ordered slum dwellers living near the Prime Minister's residence to vacate their homes within six weeks, rejecting their plea against relocation. The court mandated that the rehabilitation process must be dignified and that alternative accommodation with adequate facilities will be provided at the new site. This ruling concludes a year-long legal dispute concerning the eviction of 717 residents from three jhuggi clusters, which was initiated due to strategic security concerns and proximity to an Air Force station. The government has assured that no resident will be evicted without an alternative location, waiving beneficiary contributions for the new housing at Savda Ghevra.

The Delhi High Court has ordered slum dwellers living near the Prime Minister's residence to vacate their homes within six weeks, rejecting their plea against relocation. The court mandated that the rehabilitation process must be dignified and that alternative accommodation with adequate facilities will be provided at the new site. This ruling concludes a year-long legal dispute concerning the eviction of 717 residents from three jhuggi clusters, which was initiated due to strategic security concerns and proximity to an Air Force station. The government has assured that no resident will be evicted without an alternative location, waiving beneficiary contributions for the new housing at Savda Ghevra.

The Delhi High Court has ordered slum dwellers living near the Prime Minister's residence to vacate their homes within six weeks, rejecting their plea against relocation. The court mandated that the rehabilitation process must be dignified and that alternative accommodation with adequate facilities will be provided at the new site. This ruling concludes a year-long legal dispute concerning the eviction of 717 residents from three jhuggi clusters, which was initiated due to strategic security concerns and proximity to an Air Force station. The government has assured that no resident will be evicted without an alternative location, waiving beneficiary contributions for the new housing at Savda Ghevra.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected a plea submitted by slum dwellers near the prime minister’s residence against their relocation and directed them to vacate the area within six weeks.

A Bench consisting of Chief Justice D.K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that after six weeks, the government can clear the land with the help of police if needed. The court has emphasised that the rehabilitation process must be meaningful and must protect the residents' right to live with dignity.

"The appellants shall vacate the dwelling in the three jhuggi jhopris within six weeks from today. And within this period, they shall be provided with the accommodations allotted to them in DUSIB Colony. Whereafter, they shall be evicted to clear the land, if necessary, with the assistance of the police," the Court ordered

The ruling ends a year-long legal battle regarding the relocation of 717 residents from the Bhai Ram Camp, DID Camp and Masjid Camp jhuggi clusters near the Prime Minister’s residence.

Citing strategic security needs and proximity to an active Air Force station, the Land and Development Office had issued a formal eviction notice for the jhuggi clusters on October 29, 2025. Residents immediately approached the Delhi High Court to stop the eviction.

On March 11, the central government formally assured the Delhi HC that no resident would be evicted without an alternative location. Subsequently, a single-judge bench passed a major order directing the residents to leave in 15 days.

The residents argued that the eviction violates their right to life with dignity under Article 21, stating that shifting hundreds of families far from their current homes would disrupt livelihoods, education and access to healthcare. Many of the residents work as drivers, domestic workers and labourers in central Delhi and their children study in local schools.

New housing at Savda Ghevra was allotted by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board on April 9. Once the allotment letters were issued to the residents, they filed an appeal to a larger Division Bench.

However, the government defended the eviction, adding that sewer lines, water supply, parks and roads already exist at the relocation site. The government has also waived the 1.12 lakh beneficiary contribution typically paid by residents under rehabilitation rules.

While the Delhi HC recognised the residents' right to shelter and livelihood, it said that the right would not be violated if authorities ensure adequate facilities at the relocation site. 

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