Fri, 23 Oct, 2026, 01:10 pm
Reported by livelaw.in
The Gujarat High Court on Friday (October 23) said that the "change of stand" by Commissioner of Surat Municipal Corporation and Chairperson of corporation's Standing Committee in not providing alternative accommodation to residents whose homes were demolished despite an earlier assurance was "prima facie" contemptuous. Justice Nikhil S Kariel was hearing a petition filed by a group of residents concerning the demolition drive carried out in the area in June.
Commissioner as well as Chairman of Standing Committee both of whom who have taken a decision not to provide any alternative accommodation to persons whose residences have been demolished, shall remain present before the court on next date to explain as to why this court should not take out proceedings under criminal contempt against officers in question," the court dictated in its order.
Previously, Surat Municipal Corporation had vehemently disputed the claim of residents affected by the "illegal" demolition of homes in Nasir Nagar area that the alternative accommodation offered to them was in a “dilapidated” condition. Thereafter, in the last hearing the high court had orally asked the Municipal Commissioner to remain present along with the head of the elected wing of the Corporation in order to know that once it was agreed that accommodation would be provided then why the change of stand.
