Manoj Kumar v. Govt. Of NCT Of Delhi And ORS

$~59, 62 & 65 *

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ W.P.(C) 7463/2025 MANOJ KUMAR .....Petitioner versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS .....Respondents + W.P.(C) 7503/2025 RAHUL GULIYA .....Petitioner versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS .....Respondents + W.P.(C) 7508/2025 PANKAJ GULIA .....Petitioner versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS .....Respondents Appearance:- Mr. Mukesh Kr. Verma, Advocates for Petitioners in Item Nos. 59, 62 & 65.

Mr. Sameer Vashisht, Standing Counsel (Civil), GNCTD in Item Nos. 59, 62 & 65.

Mr. Pramod Kumar, Advocate for R-1 & 2 in Item No. 62.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN

O R D E R

% 27.05.2025 CM APPL. 33362/2025 (for exemption) in W.P.(C) 7463/2025 CM APPL. 33548/2025 (for exemption) in W.P.(C) 7503/2025 CM APPL. 33561/2025 (for exemption) in W.P.(C) 7508/2025 Exemptions allowed, subject to all just exceptions. The applications stand disposed of.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

W.P.(C) 7463/2025 & CM APPL. 33363/2025 (for interim directions) W.P.(C) 7503/2025 & CM APPL. 33549/2025 (for interim directions) W.P.(C) 7508/2025 & CM APPL. 33562/2025 (for interim directions) 1.

Issue notice. Mr. Sameer Vashisht, learned Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi ["GNCTD"] in W.P.(C) 7463/2025 & W.P.(C) 7508/2025, and Mr. Pramod Kumar, learned counsel, accept notice on behalf of GNCTD in W.P.(C) 7503/2025.

2.

The petitioners in these three petitions challenge a common demolition notice dated 27.03.2025, wherein GNCTD has sought to take demolition action in respect of encroachments in Khasra No. 209 in Village Saidulajaib, Tehsil Saket, on the basis that the said Khasra consists of forest land.

3.

Mr. Mukesh Kr. Verma, learned counsel for the petitioners, states that the petitioners' lands fall outside the Khasra No. 209, and the impugned demolition notice has erroneously been affixed on their lands. He relies upon various documents, including revenue records and Khasra Girdawari, etc., in support of his contention. 4.

Mr. Verma further submits that, against the very same notice, several writ petitions, filed by other land owners on similar grounds, [W.P.(C) 4687/2025 and connected matters] were disposed of on 15.04.2025, with the following directions:- "7.

Having regard to the aforesaid submissions, the petitions are disposed of, with the following directions:

(a) The demarcation report of the land in question be supplied to the petitioners, through their counsel, within one week from today. (b) The petitioners may file applications under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, before the Additional District Magistrate/Forest Settlement Officer within a period of three weeks thereafter. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

(c) The Forest Settlement Officer will dispose of the petitioners' applications in accordance with law, by way of a speaking order. (d) Until the applications are disposed of, the respondents are directed not to take any further action in terms of the impugned demolition notice.

8.

It is made clear that this Court has not adjudicated upon the rights and contentions of the parties on merits, which remain reserved."

5.

Mr. Vashisht also submits that the petitions can be disposed of on similar lines.

6.

These writ petitions, alongwith pending applications, are therefore disposed of in terms of paragraph 7 of the order dated 15.04.2025, as extracted above.

PRATEEK JALAN, J MAY 27, 2025 'pv'/AD/ The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.