NEW DELHI: Delhi high court on Tuesday is likely to examine if the Centre and AAP government take a stand on the status of the upscale Sainik Farm colony.
Last month, the court had expressed disappointment on the delay by the authorities in taking a decision on the status of the colony, saying it had left owners and residents of the area in a “Trishanku” state.
It had fixed May 17 as the date by when it wanted both the governments to take a clear decision, pointing out that the matter of regularisation of Sainik Farm was pending for nearly seven years. The court had stressed that it was “high time that the issue be resolved once and for all”, cautioning the governments that they “cannot duck the issue, keeping the pot boiling indefinitely”.
The court’s strong comments came on a petition challenging certain sections of the Act for recognising ownership rights of residents of unauthorised colonies. The plea filed by Ramesh Dugar, convenor of the area’s residents, submitted that despite repeated orders of the high court, both the central and state governments had failed to take any steps or come up with any policy regarding Sainik Farm.
“In December 2010, an assurance was given to the court by the secretary, Union ministry of urban development that a decision regarding Sainik Farm would be taken soon. But even after a lapse of 10 years, nothing has been done. On many occasions, Delhi government made statements it had decided to regularise Sainik Farm and that it was for the central government to take a decision. The Centre, despite repeated orders and directions, failed to act or take any decision. As a result, the fate of the residents and house owners has been hanging in a balance,” the plea contended.
On the last hearing, a bench of acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla had made it clear that it expected the Centre and Delhi government to “state the decision taken by them by filing affidavits before the next date of hearing”.
It noted that despite the court seeking a decision on either regularising or not regularising Sainik Farm, nothing had been done. “A large number of houses/bungalows exist and thousands of people are residing there. However, their constructions are unauthorised and the owners/occupiers of these properties are like Trishanku, in a limbo,” it stated.
