SC stays demolition of illegal Faridabad homes in Aravali Zone

The HINDU

The authorities in Haryana were restrained by the Supreme Court from demolishing illegal constructions in ecologically-threatened Aravali zone in Faridabad where hills have allegedly been damaged for building homes.

"Let the status quo be maintained," a special Forest Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said. "Let us examine the issue and lay down some principle," the Bench, also comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia, said.

The Bench passed the order after senior advocate Harish Salve, assisting the Bench in forest matters as amicus curiae (friend of court), said under the garb of the report of the Central Empowered Committee the authorities were ready with bulldozers.

The CEC report has called for demolition of encroachments in posh localities such as Kant Enclave, Lake Wood View Properties and some owned by Karmayogi Shelter Private Ltd in Faridabad.

The report relating to illegal constructions in Aravali hills in Gurgaon is awaited, the court was told adding that it would be placed before the bench in a day or two. Salve said the national capital would become a desert if mining and cutting of hill was allowed.

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