Gujarat High Court rejects petition against Chandola Lake demolition drive, operation to continue

Early on Tuesday, 18 petitioners had knocked the doors of the Gujarat High Court seeking an urgent hearing to bring a stay on the massive demolition drive at Ahmedabad’s Chandola Lake.

A hearing was held today in the Gujarat High Court regarding the Chandola demolition case. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court dismissed the petition and gave the green light to continue the demolition drive. During the proceedings, the media was verbally restricted from coverage. Journalists were denied entry without any formal notification, and coverage was prohibited without an official announcement.

A total of 18 petitioners had filed a plea in the Gujarat High Court challenging the demolition. Despite today being a public holiday for Parshuram Jayanti, the High Court opened for two hours to hear the case and admitted the petitions. However, without any written court order, journalists were stopped at the main gate of the court by officers including Crime DCP Ajit Rajyan and Sola Police Inspector K N Bhukan.

In court, the petitioners argued that the demolition was being carried out in violation of due process and claimed that there was no evidence proving the residents were Bangladeshi nationals. They also stated that no official notice had been served before demolishing the homes. Nonetheless, the high court rejected the plea and allowed the demolition to proceed.

The petitioners’ advocate stated that although 18 individuals had sought a stay on the demolition, the court categorically denied granting one. He noted that petitioners may now file a new plea seeking rehabilitation.

He added that many of the petitioners have been living in the area for 50 years and that even if someone is residing illegally, they should be served a 15-day notice before eviction. 

The advocate also pointed out that following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, many of the individuals detained by police were later found to be Indian citizens.

The high court declined the petition and ruled that there would be no stay on the demolition drive. The demolition operation will continue as planned.

Addressing the media at the site, Ahmedabad police chief G S Malik stated that a massive combing operation was carried out by Gujarat Police three days ago, during which illegal immigrants were detained. He added that the current demolition of illegal structures is being carried out legally and in accordance with the law.