HC directs Delhi Police and NDMC to continue to remove illegal hawkers in SN Market
New Delhi Jan 24 PTI The Delhi High Court Monday directed the Delhi Police and NDMC to continue removing unauthorised hawkers selling goods in the Sarojini Nagar market here while noting that the authorities have taken effective steps in this directionSubstantial work has been done We would like this momentum to continue a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh saidAfter perusing the status reports filed by the New Delhi Municipal Council NDMC and Delhi Police the bench said they have done the work it is not that shopkeepers are not to be blamed Almost every shopkeeper has encroached upon public land It appears that in pursuance to our orders NDMC and police authorities have taken effective steps regarding removal of illegal squatters in Sarojini Nagar market We would like to see further steps be taken in the matter We direct NDMC and Delhi Police to continue to keep vigil and remove illegal squatters and ensure our orders are complied with it saidThe bench said it was the question of peoples mindset as they see whether the authorities are lenient or strictYou have to send a message home that you will take strict action and then see the result If we take back the contempt notices things will go back to the same situation it saidThe court had earlier issued contempt notice against officials of NDMC for not complying with its earlier orders on the removal of encroachment from the market including illegal vendors and their goodsThe court asked the NDMC to mention in its next status report the steps taken by it for fencing Sarojini Nagar MarketIt further asked the Delhi Police to indicate the aspect of procurement of instruments for a headcount of people in the market and also on the installation of CCTVs thereThe high court was hearing a plea relating to illegal encroachments in Sarojini Nagar market and the presence of unauthorised vendors and squatters thereThe petitioners counsel said the system of odd-even of the opening of shops is going on so shopkeepers are not allowed to keep their shops open daily however these hawkers sit there every day and are squatting just outside the shopsThe high court in December last year had said the state of affairs be it Covid or non-Covid was frightening as people were flowing like a river which could lead to stampede and death of hundredsIt had taken note of overcrowding in Sarojini Nagar market which had witnessed a bomb blast in the pastThe court had said whether there is Covid or not people have to remain alert and made it clear that if there is any death because of COVID-19 infection or stampede in the Sarojini Nagar market then the officials of the authorities concerned NDMC and Delhi Police will be personally held liable for itIt had also asked the Delhi Police and Delhi Disaster Management Authority DDMA to work out a movement plan for the public in the market and asked the NDMC and other authorities to ensure there is no overcrowdingIt had further directed the DDMA to make a visit to the market forthwith and assess the situation given the prevailing situation of the pandemicThe NDMC counsel had said they have been regularly removing encroachment and also illegal vendors but they again return and that they are also issuing challans and performing their duties PTI SKV SKV RKS RKS
New Delhi Jan 24 PTI The Delhi High Court Monday directed the Delhi Police and NDMC to continue removing unauthorised hawkers selling goods in the Sarojini Nagar market here while noting that the authorities have taken effective steps in this directionSubstantial work has been done We would like this momentum to continue a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh saidAfter perusing the status reports filed by the New Delhi Municipal Council NDMC and Delhi Police the bench said they have done the work it is not that shopkeepers are not to be blamed Almost every shopkeeper has encroached upon public land It appears that in pursuance to our orders NDMC and police authorities have taken effective steps regarding removal of illegal squatters in Sarojini Nagar market We would like to see further steps be taken in the matter We direct NDMC and Delhi Police to continue to keep vigil and remove illegal squatters and ensure our orders are complied with it saidThe bench said it was the question of peoples mindset as they see whether the authorities are lenient or strictYou have to send a message home that you will take strict action and then see the result If we take back the contempt notices things will go back to the same situation it saidThe court had earlier issued contempt notice against officials of NDMC for not complying with its earlier orders on the removal of encroachment from the market including illegal vendors and their goodsThe court asked the NDMC to mention in its next status report the steps taken by it for fencing Sarojini Nagar MarketIt further asked the Delhi Police to indicate the aspect of procurement of instruments for a headcount of people in the market and also on the installation of CCTVs thereThe high court was hearing a plea relating to illegal encroachments in Sarojini Nagar market and the presence of unauthorised vendors and squatters thereThe petitioners counsel said the system of odd-even of the opening of shops is going on so shopkeepers are not allowed to keep their shops open daily however these hawkers sit there every day and are squatting just outside the shopsThe high court in December last year had said the state of affairs be it Covid or non-Covid was frightening as people were flowing like a river which could lead to stampede and death of hundredsIt had taken note of overcrowding in Sarojini Nagar market which had witnessed a bomb blast in the pastThe court had said whether there is Covid or not people have to remain alert and made it clear that if there is any death because of COVID-19 infection or stampede in the Sarojini Nagar market then the officials of the authorities concerned NDMC and Delhi Police will be personally held liable for itIt had also asked the Delhi Police and Delhi Disaster Management Authority DDMA to work out a movement plan for the public in the market and asked the NDMC and other authorities to ensure there is no overcrowdingIt had further directed the DDMA to make a visit to the market forthwith and assess the situation given the prevailing situation of the pandemicThe NDMC counsel had said they have been regularly removing encroachment and also illegal vendors but they again return and that they are also issuing challans and performing their duties PTI SKV SKV RKS RKS
