'Shocking State Of Affairs': Delhi High Court Asks Authorities To Remove 'Illegal Activities' At Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Project Area

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the city authorities to remove the deficiencies and illegal activities at the Chandni Chowk redevelopment project and surrounding areas.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed that prima facie, the illegal activities and deficiencies in the area must be attended to and removed by the MCD and Delhi Police in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible. The court further asked the concerned DCP as well as DC  to remain personally present in court on the next date of hearing.

The Court was dealing with a PIL filed by Chandani Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal seeking directions on the city authorities to ensure that all the damage and illegal activities in the area is removed in a time bound manner.

Senior Advocate Sanjeev Ralli appearing for the petitioner organization submitted that the area of Chandni Chowk redevelopment project is totally neglected by the authorities including the MCD, Delhi Police and Traffic Police.

He said that the state of affairs was causing inconvenience to the public at large specially residents, those who visit Chandni Chowk as well as those working there.

It was contended that the lack of concern by the city authorities was leading to alarming deterioration in cleanliness and maintenance of the Chandni Chowk road and surrounding areas.

Ralli also submitted that drug addicts and vagabonds have started assembling at the main Chandni Chowk road and that the maintenance agency's contract has expired without any arrangement, leading to unhygienic condition of the area.

It was also submitted that the illegal encroachment in no vending zone by the hawkers etc is left unchecked by the authorities.

Calling it "shocking state of affairs", the Bench questioned the maintenance of Chandni Chowk area by the authorities.

CJ Manmohan remarked that everything is broken in the area and filth and garbage is lying everywhere, adding that the authorities were doing nothing.

The bench directed the MCD, PWD, Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), Delhi Police and Traffic police to file their status report in the matter within two weeks.

The Court also summoned the concerned DCP as well as DC of the area to remain personally present on January 9, 2025 the next date of hearing.

Case Title: Chandani Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal v. Govt. Of Nct Of Delhi & Ors 

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 1277