In a major relief to the Capital's marble traders, the Delhi High Court has restrained the Delhi Government from evicting them from their premises at Rajouri Garden in West Delhi.
The Public Work Department sought to acquire the plots on the ground that the occupation of land by these traders was illegal as no prior sanction had been obtained by them from the Delhi Development Provisional Authority (DDPA).
It also submitted that “illegal” occupation of the land by the traders had held up expansion of Ring Road and was causing inconvenience to commuters.
PWD restrained
The Court, however, was not satisfied with the PWD's contention and restrained it from taking any action against the traders.
“Respondents (government and civic agencies) shall not remove the petitioners' shops and structures located in Block C-1, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, or in any manner interfere with the possession...,” Justice S. Murlidhar said.
The Court passed the order on a petition filed by 17 traders of Rajouri Garden seeking a direction to restrain the PWD and the Delhi Government from removing their marble shops located on the plots. The traders contended that they had bought the plots from DLF through registered sale deeds and cannot be forced to vacate the premises.