Gujarat HC Puts Authorities Under Scanner Over Surat Nasirnagar Demolition

AHMEDABAD : The Gujarat High Court has raised tough questions over the controversial demolition of more than 150 houses in Surat’s Nasirnagar area, signaling that authorities will have to account for every action taken during the bulldozer drive that allegedly left hundreds homeless. In a significant hearing on Thursday, the court made it clear that no house can be demolished without following due legal procedure and observed that the state government cannot distance itself from responsibility in the matter.

A petition filed by 26 residents has named the State Government, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), the Surat Police Commissioner, SOG DCP Rajdeepsinh Nakum, several police and civic officials, and Torrent Power as respondents. The matter has now been listed for further hearing on June 29.

Appearing for the petitioners, counsel argued that more than 150 homes were demolished on May 30 without any prior notice, opportunity for hearing, or preparation of a panchnama. The petitioners claimed that bulldozers arrived suddenly and razed houses in a settlement where families had allegedly been living for decades.

The court repeatedly questioned who carried out the demolition and on whose authority it was executed. “If the demolition was not carried out by SMC, then what were its officers doing at the site?” the bench asked, while also seeking details of the officials and police personnel present during the operation.

Petitioners alleged that officials of the SMC, personnel from the Surat SOG, and staff from Chowk Bazar Police Station were present during the demolition. They further claimed that electricity connections were disconnected beforehand and alleged that a private agency carried out the demolition under instructions from a builder.

The bench also questioned the delay in approaching the court. Petitioners responded that they first sought answers from the SMC Commissioner and police authorities, but their complaints were allegedly not acted upon.

In a crucial observation, the court stated that if SOG DCP Rajdeepsinh Nakum was present at the site in an unofficial capacity, he must appear before the court during the next hearing. The court also directed Torrent Power to explain under whose instructions electricity supply to the area was disconnected.

Calling the issue “very sensitive,” the High Court emphasized that accountability must be fixed if any demolition was conducted outside the framework of law. The bench further indicated that if the demolition is found to have been carried out unlawfully by civic authorities, questions of rehabilitation and housing assistance for the affected families would also arise.

All eyes will now be on the June 29 hearing, when the court is expected to seek definitive answers from the authorities involved.