Delhi High Court gives six weeks to residents of slums near PM’s residence to move to Savda Ghevra

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) granted residents of three jhuggi clusters near the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg six weeks to vacate their homes and relocate to alternative accommodation at Savda Ghevra.

A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia also ordered the constitution of a monitoring committee, headed by a retired judicial officer, to oversee the rehabilitation of residents of Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp and DID Colony.

The court emphasised that the rehabilitation process must be meaningful and must safeguard the residents’ right to live with dignity, an integral component of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The court passed the order on appeals by the residents of the slums challenging a single-judge’s May 11 judgment, which had refused to interfere with their eviction.

The Centre had justified the eviction on the ground that the jhuggi clusters were situated in a protected zone adjoining an operational Air Force Station. According to the authorities, the removal of unauthorised structures was necessary to strengthen defence infrastructure and serve important public and security interests.

While rejecting the residents’ contention that their eviction violated the Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015, the Division Bench made it clear that the authorities must strictly comply with the assurances given to the Court regarding facilities at the relocation site.

The court noted that the commitments relating to schools, electricity, LPG connections, bus passes, dispensaries and other essential amenities at Savda Ghevra must be fully honoured.

The court also directed DUSIB to facilitate the transportation of the residents’ household belongings to their allotted accommodation.

The single judge had earlier granted the residents 15 days to vacate, noting that eviction notices had first been issued in October 2025 and that sufficient time had already elapsed.

The Centre had maintained that in-situ rehabilitation was not feasible because no suitable alternative accommodation was available in the vicinity. As a result, 717 residents from the three jhuggi clusters are to be relocated to Savda Ghevra.