New Delhi: Delhi High Court has ordered status quo on a proposed demolition by DDA of a property in Batla House after a woman challenged the decision, arguing that she had lived there for 25 years.The woman, Ishrat Jahan, was served a demolition notice by DDA, which claimed illegal construction on the premises and gave her 15 days to comply. A vacation bench of Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar has ordered status quo and scheduled the next hearing for July 10. The counsel for DDA said the agency would place on record the survey report and the proposed action based on the demarcation report relating to Batla House, including the petitioner’s property. The counsel for Delhi govt assured the court that the demarcation report would be filed in three weeks. The woman has contended that the property “is squarely covered under the PM-UDAY Scheme.” DDA has said the property was not under the scheme that grants property ownership to those living in unauthorised colonies.In its May 7 order, the top court said, “Direct DDA to take action of demolition in accordance with law in respect of the unauthorised structures of area of 2 bigha 10 biswa.” TNN
