DDA carried out demolition of Sainik Farm Bungalow despite pending court case, says owner

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday demolished a bungalow in Sainik Farm during an anti-encroachment drive in the presence of police and paramilitary personnel. The urban body said in a statement that the structure, spread over half an acre, was built illegally on government-owned land and was razed after the Delhi High Court, which the owner had approached seeking relief, did not grant a stay.

However, the property owner claimed the matter remains pending before the court. The DDA said a total of nine properties in the area were identified for demolition and five, including two fully built farmhouses, were removed on December 5.

Aadil Sherwani, the property owner, said he received a notice on October 13 to vacate the premises within 10 days. He said he filed a petition in the Delhi High Court on October 17, with the next hearing scheduled for December 18.

In an official statement, the DDA said the bungalow was among several constructions on land acquired for a biodiversity park and not protected under the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Special Provisions) Act, 2014.

Mr. Sherwani said the High Court had orally advised the DDA to wait until December 18 before taking any action.

With the house now demolished, Mr. Sherwani and his family are staying with relatives in Gurgaon.

Three properties were not touched due to existing High Court stay orders on December 5, the DDA said in its statement.