India’s Supreme Court orders action against 16,726 unauthorised Meerut structures
The Supreme Court has directed Uttar Pradesh authorities to ask occupants to leave and seal 16,726 structures identified as unauthorised in Meerut’s Zone-A, with demolition to follow. It also ordered a judicial inquiry into illegal colonies in Uldepur and warned officials they could be personally liable if deaths result from inaction.
India’s Supreme Court has ordered authorities in Uttar Pradesh to act against 16,726 structures identified as illegal or unauthorised in Zone-A of Meerut, including by asking occupants to leave, sealing the properties and proceeding with demolition. A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V.
Viswanathan issued the directions after reviewing a status report by P. Guruprasad, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad. The case concerns alleged non-compliance with earlier directions on illegal construction.
The report divided Meerut into four zones. In Zone-A, inspection teams identified 12,907 residential structures, 874 residential-cum-non-residential structures and 2,945 non-residential structures as unauthorised. The court said prompt action was required because some buildings could be in a dilapidated condition and collapse, potentially causing deaths.
It warned that a government officer responsible for inaction could be held personally liable if an incident resulted in the loss of innocent lives. The Bench said the report did not provide sufficient information about Zones B, C and D. It directed the relevant authority to submit a comprehensive account of those areas at the next hearing, while requiring action across all four zones.
The court also ordered the demolition of remaining unauthorised structures in Uldepur, on Meerut’s outskirts. Of 44 properties previously sealed there, 20 had already been demolished. The Bench directed authorities to demolish the remaining 24.
The report said 38 of the 44 properties had sanctioned building plans but included unauthorised additions and had been used commercially. The remaining six had been sold as plots and developed without approved plans or maps. The court established a judicial commission led by retired Supreme Court judge Sudhanshu Dhulia to investigate illegal residential colonies in Uldepur.
It will examine why the Meerut Development Authority remained inactive for more than five years and whether officials colluded in the colonies’ development. The case is due to return in December.
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