Supreme Court Orders Demolition of 16,726 Unauthorized Structures in Meerut
The Supreme Court has ordered municipal and state authorities in Meerut to seal and demolish 16,726 unauthorized structures identified across Zone A, initiating a sweeping crackdown on illegal urban development. A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan issued the directives during ongoing contempt proceedings concerning non-compliance with previous court orders regarding unapproved construction and land-use violations.
The bench mandated that occupants of the identified properties first be issued eviction notices before authorities seal and demolish the premises. According to municipal inspection reports, the 16,726 illegal structures in Zone A comprise 12,907 residential properties, 874 mixed residential-and-commercial buildings, and 2,945 non-residential constructions.
Judicial Commission Appointed for Uldepur Colonies
Expressing shock and deep concern over hundreds of illegal residential colonies established in Uldepur on the outskirts of Meerut, the Supreme Court appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia as chairperson of a judicial inquiry commission. The panel is tasked with investigating how the unapproved settlements materialized, examining land ownership titles, transaction trails between buyers and sellers, and the role of officials.
The commission will investigate why the Meerut Development Authority remained inactive for over five years and whether the colonies emerged through connivance or collusion involving municipal officials. Pending the panel's findings, the Court directed authorities to demolish every unauthorized structure in Uldepur and clear the debris on a daily basis. The Uttar Pradesh government was ordered to deposit 35 lakh rupees into the Supreme Court Registry as initial remuneration for Justice Dhulia and co-opted members.
Crackdown on Setback Violations and Commercial Conversions
Beyond the Zone A properties, the Court ordered the immediate demolition of 138 structures that encroached upon mandatory setback areas. Out of 201 such properties previously identified by inspectors, 63 had already been cleared. The bench also addressed commercial conversions in residential zones, ordering the clearance of 24 remaining properties out of 44 sealed establishments that included six schools, six hospitals, four banquet halls, three nationalized banks, and one non-banking financial company.
Separately, the bench noted that commercial activities had been halted across 486 properties originally allotted under Economically Weaker Section and Low-Income Group housing categories. The judges warned that officers would face personal liability if dilapidated buildings collapsed and caused casualties, directing authorities to accelerate demolition across all four municipal zones before the matter is revisited in December.
Next Scheduled Proceedings
The Supreme Court listed the matter for further compliance hearings in December, at which point municipal authorities are required to submit comprehensive status reports covering inspection findings for Zone B, Zone C, and Zone D.