The Delhi High Court has mandated that residents of three slum clusters adjacent to the Prime Minister’s official residence must vacate their homes within six weeks. In a decision made on Tuesday, a bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia specified that the affected residents of Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp, and DID Colony should relocate to government-provided alternative accommodation.

The court recognised the government’s authority to facilitate evictions post-deadline if necessary. The eviction will be supported by police assistance if required, underscoring the urgency of clearing the land in question.

In its order, the court directed the authorities to ensure that individuals residing in these slum environments are settled into accommodation allocated to them at the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) Colony situated in Savda Ghevra, Delhi.

Establishment of Monitoring Committee for Rehabilitation

The bench also initiated the formation of a monitoring committee to oversee the rehabilitation process of the displaced residents. This committee will be chaired by Man Mohan Sharma, a retired officer of the Delhi Higher Judicial Services, and will include officials from various government departments such as the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, DUSIB, and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

This committee, consisting of high-ranking officials, is tasked with monitoring the relocation process to ensure that residents receive the necessary amenities as promised. It has a designated term of six months, which may be extended for an additional two months if needed, and will convene regularly to assess the rehabilitation efforts.

The High Court emphasised the importance of meaningful rehabilitation, reaffirming that the residents’ right to live with dignity is integral to the Right to Life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. The court directed all involved authorities to strictly adhere to commitments made regarding the provision of essential services at Savda Ghevra.

Implications of the Court’s Ruling

The court’s order follows appeals made by the residents challenging an earlier judgment from May 11, which had granted them only 15 days to vacate. The court noted that the Land and Development Office (L&DO) first issued eviction notices back in October 2025, indicating that a considerable period had lapsed since then.

The Central Government has cited security concerns as the basis for the eviction, highlighting the proximity of the slum clusters to a protected zone adjacent to an operational Air Force Station. This move aims to bolster and secure the defence infrastructure while addressing broader public safety needs.

Moreover, the government stated that in-situ rehabilitation was not feasible due to a lack of alternative housing options in the vicinity. Consequently, plans were made to relocate 717 individuals from the three identified slums to the DUSIB Colony in Savda Ghevra.

While the residents have claimed that their eviction contravenes the Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy of 2015, the bench affirmed the government’s position, maintaining the six-week timeline for relocation while instilling oversight through the newly instituted monitoring committee.

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