Delhi HC Halts Action Against PM House Slum Residents

The Delhi High Court on May 19 told authorities not to take coercive action for the time being against residents who have not yet left three slum clusters near Lok Kalyan Marg, where the prime minister’s official residence is located. The interim direction came eight days after the same court had refused to stop the eviction of residents from Bhai Ram Camp, DID Camp and Masjid Camp and had asked them to vacate within 15 days. (hindustantimes.com) The dispute now centers on whether the relocation process to Savda Ghevra in outer Delhi is being carried out with the safeguards the court itself had said were required. The next hearing is scheduled for May 26. (msn.com) ### Why did the court step in again after allowing the eviction? (newsbytesapp.com) Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav heard the matter again on May 19 after residents said they were facing imminent removal and raised concerns about conditions at the relocation site, according to reports of the hearing. The court then directed authorities not to take coercive action for the time being against those still at the three clusters. The May 11 ruling had not blocked the eviction itself. That earlier order said the removal of unauthorized occupants from government land would not violate rights to shelter and livelihood so long as rehabilitation was properly provided, and it gave remaining residents 15 days to vacate. (hindustantimes.com) ### Which settlements are affected, and how many people are involved? The three settlements named in the case are Bhai Ram Camp, DID Camp and Masjid Camp, all near Lok Kalyan Marg in central Delhi. Reports on the earlier proceedings said the order affected more than 350 residents who had challenged the move. (hindustantimes.com) Savda Ghevra, the relocation site identified by authorities, is in outer Delhi and was described in one report as about 45 km away. That distance has been central to residents’ objections because it affects work, schooling and access to services. ### What did the court say in the earlier eviction order? (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) The May 11 order accepted the authorities’ case that the land lay near the prime minister’s residence and next to an operational Air Force Station, and that security concerns justified clearing the area. Multiple reports said the court referred to national security and defence infrastructure in allowing the relocation to proceed. (msn.com) Justice Kaurav also said rehabilitation conditions mattered. Accounts of the ruling said the court directed that residents be provided alternative accommodation and that basic requirements such as education, transport, water and sanitation be addressed at Savda Ghevra. (indianexpress.com) ### What are residents arguing now about the move to Savda Ghevra? Residents returned to court after saying the relocation site did not yet have adequate basic amenities and that families were being pushed out before those issues were resolved, according to reports of Tuesday’s hearing. The court suggested a commission could be constituted to examine conditions and the availability of services such as sanitation and water at the proposed site. (lawtrend.in) The dispute is no longer only about whether the eviction can happen. It is also about whether the safeguards tied to rehabilitation are in place before authorities remove the remaining families. That framing comes from the court’s own earlier order, as reported by legal and news outlets. (indianexpress.com) ### What happens next in court? May 26 is the next date in the case, according to reports on the interim order. Until then, the Delhi High Court’s direction bars coercive action against residents who have not vacated the three clusters, while authorities and residents are expected to address the status of relocation facilities at Savda Ghevra. (newsbytesapp.com) (indianexpress.com) (telegraphindia.com)