New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Friday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to carry out a demolition drive to remove all encroachments in Majlis Park area of North Delhi in order to construct an 80-foot wide road there.
A division bench of Justices Vikramjit Sen and Manmohan Singh said: “If this trend of land grabbing is not reversed, the impression in society that only fools are law-abiding and that the unruly are never brought to book, will be cemented. It is imperative that violators of the law must be compelled to honour the law and respect the rights of law-abiding citizens.”

The court also directed the Delhi Police to provide adequate forces at the time of carrying out demolition.

The court was hearing the petition filed by Welfare Association, Majlis Park, pleading that alternative land may be acquired by the civic agency so that a uniform 80-foot wide road can be constructed.

On the other hand, the MCD contended that the petitioners had occupied the land which is a public park and has always remained a government property and, thereafter, further encroached upon the government land earmarked for the 80-foot road.

Refuting the MCD’s allegation, counsel for petitioners said illegal occupation of the government land is beyond the scrutiny of the court since that action has been regularised.

“Public land, parks cannot be legitimately conveyed to any party,” the court said while slating the case for further hearing Feb 9.