Court stays demolition linked to Nagpur riot accusations

The Bombay High Court has ordered a halt to the demolition of a property linked to a citizen involved in recent riots. This decision was made after a petition by Sheikh Irfan, whose family is connected to the violence. Irfan claims the demolition is an act of retaliation because of his relative's alleged role in the riots. The court directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to stop the bulldozer actions against Irfan's property and required a response from the municipal commissioner by April 15. This case is one of three recent petitions, including those from Zehrunissa, 69, and Abdul Hafiz, 96, whose relatives are also accused in the riots. Irfan's legal representative challenged the demolition notice issued on March 21, which claimed unauthorized construction in the Wanjari area. He argues that the property was legally assigned to his late mother by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority in 1993 and that the construction followed regulations. Irfan, who has lived there his whole life, stated that he has no place to go if the property is demolished. He believes the order is meant to target him unfairly instead of being a genuine enforcement action. The court has previously indicated that the NMC's actions might go against a Supreme Court ruling, which opposes the demolition of homes without a proper legal process. Irfan's petition highlights that such actions violate principles of justice, reinforcing the court's stance against punitive demolitions.