A tragic fire in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives occurred in a commercial building that had a demolition order issued in 2016 due to unauthorised construction. The order was controversially revoked less than two months later, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the decision. The building, originally allotted for residential use, was later found to have unauthorised commercial construction.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered a status quo on the demolition of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's constituency office in South 24 Parganas. The court's directive prevents further demolition until a new hearing or the end of July, following a petition by Leaps and Bounds Private Limited, a company Banerjee is CEO of. The district administration had initiated demolition citing alleged construction without an approved plan.
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to consider a batch of contempt petitions alleging that demolitions were carried out in violation of its 2024 judgment and asked aggrieved parties to approach the high courts concerned.
The Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition filed by a businessman on behalf of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University regarding the demolition of its buildings, citing that the pleader was an outsider. Separately, the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner's court granted an interim stay on the demolition of 38 university buildings until the final hearing.
A demolition drive was conducted in Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, to remove encroachments for a road-widening project, involving heavy police deployment and the removal of approximately 150 structures.
The Lucknow Development Authority has served a notice to the owner of the Aliganj building where a recent fire claimed 15 lives, citing alleged building bylaw violations and unauthorised commercial use. The LDA is also investigating its own officials for previously withdrawing a demolition order against the same property in 2016, while police have arrested four individuals in connection with the tragedy.
The Supreme Court has ruled that cryptic bail orders need not be revisited, asserting that a person's liberty hinges on the prosecution's case rather than judicial inaccuracies. This observation came while rejecting the Uttarakhand government's appeal against bail granted to Abdul Malik in the Banbhoolpura violence case, with the court also questioning the invocation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Bombay High Court has expressed shock over the demolition of a printing press set up by Dr B R Ambedkar in Mumbai in 2016 and has criticised the city police for their inaction despite complaints.
The Maharashtra government has issued strict directives to local authorities, mandating an immediate ban on illegal dhabas, eateries, and commercial structures within national highway Right of Way. The order requires demolition of existing encroachments within 60 days, formation of highway safety task forces, and mandates prior clearance from NHAI or PWD for any new licenses in highway safety zones, aiming to enhance commuter safety and clear obstructions.
Adani Group-operated Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) is set to begin demolishing a section of its nearly 80-year-old Terminal 1 from January 15, 2027, as part of a major redevelopment plan. This initiative involves redistributing air traffic from T1 to Terminal 2 and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, with significant shifts planned for international and domestic flights starting October 1 and October 25, respectively.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has quashed the 2021 Office Memorandum allowing retrospective environmental clearances, reinforcing the importance of prior environmental approval for projects but held that the judgment will apply prospectively, thus saving projects that got retrospective ECs from demolition and other punitive measures.
An allegedly illegal cafe, Aranayer Kule, owned by Imran Molla, son of TMC leader Saokat Molla, was demolished in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. The demolition followed repeated notices from the district administration regarding the structure's encroachment on Matla river's sandbank, which the family failed to remove.
On May 8, the apex court had directed that these buildings be removed within a month as they were constructed in a notified CRZ, which was part of the tidally-influenced water body in Kerala.
Civic authorities in Beed, Maharashtra, have ordered the demolition of an under-construction building allegedly linked to P V Kulkarni, the kingpin of the NEET paper leak case, due to violations of local construction regulations.
'They probably imagine any hue and cry in the event Sheikh Hasina is hanged will be shortlived as it happened when Bhutto was hanged in Pakistan in 1979.'
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, prohibits only the conversion of religious character but does not prevent the state from acquiring such properties for secular and public purposes. This observation came while dismissing a petition challenging the widening and beautification of the Dalmandi area in Varanasi for the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor, which involved the proposed demolition of six ancient mosques.
A 15-day protest against the Ken-Betwa Link Project and other development initiatives in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, concluded after police cleared the agitation site and dispersed protesters. While police denied arrests, protesters alleged their leader, Amit Bhatnagar, was detained amidst claims of project irregularities and corruption. The project aims to provide irrigation and drinking water to the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.
In 2023, Delhi accounted for the highest share of evictions at 53 per cent, followed by Gujarat at 30 per cent and Assam at 4 per cent.
Authorities in Gurugram demolished the property of a criminal, Indrajit, built on encroached government land in Badshahpur village. The demolition was ordered after it was found that the construction was illegal and built without permission.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) announced a nationwide movement against the 'deteriorating condition' and social and political marginalisation of Muslims in India, citing concerns over mob violence, demolition drives, and attempts to impose Vande Mataram.
An anti-encroachment drive in Mumbai's Bandra area turned violent after authorities demolished an alleged illegal religious structure, leading to stone-pelting by residents and a police lathi-charge.
Rajasthan Police has launched a significant crackdown on organised crime, initiating proceedings to attach illegally acquired assets worth over Rs 220 crore. The action targets 636 criminals, including drug traffickers, and involves asset seizures, demolition drives, and the use of new legal provisions to dismantle economic networks and return confiscated properties to victims.
A demolition drive targeting an allegedly illegal mosque in Mumbai's Bandra East area led to clashes between residents and police, resulting in injuries and detentions.
A demolition drive targeting an alleged illegal religious structure in a Mumbai slum led to clashes between residents and police, resulting in injuries and detentions.
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district demolished an alleged illegal commercial property belonging to an alleged drug peddler as part of an ongoing crackdown against narcotics trafficking.
Novak Djokovic pranked an unsuspecting ball girl by crying out in pain as she followed his orders to cut off some black tape from his right shoulder with a pair of scissors.
A post-mortem report for the 15 victims of the Lucknow Aliganj fire revealed that they died from suffocation due to smoke inhalation, not major burn injuries. Doctors found soot in nasal passages and swelling around faces, indicating heavy smoke exposure. The tragedy has led to a high-level probe, arrests, and a directive for fire safety inspections across Uttar Pradesh.
Following the demolition of a house linked to an accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi clash, the victim's family is demanding a CBI probe and strict action against all those involved in the incident.
Goa government takes action against officials after a magisterial inquiry reveals negligence in connection with a nightclub fire that killed 25 people.
A local BJP functionary, Vinod, was allegedly beaten to death in Dehradun's Bairagiwala village following an irrigation dispute, leaving three family members critically injured. Authorities have razed "illegal" structures belonging to the accused, and police have registered a case against 12 named suspects and others, deploying forces to maintain law and order.
Gurugram Police demolished an eight-story building allegedly used as a paying guest accommodation by convicted drug smuggler Satpal alias Kalu. The demolition was a joint effort with the municipal corporation, targeting properties acquired through drug trafficking proceeds. Authorities also demolished property illegally occupied by another alleged drug peddler.
Violence erupted during an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan area early Wednesday, with some people pelting stones at police personnel, leaving five of them injured.
Authorities in Hoshiarpur demolished an illegal structure built on panchayat land by a family allegedly involved in drug trafficking, as part of the state government's campaign against drugs.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to promptly address public grievances, including farmer harassment, land encroachments, and infrastructure issues, during a 'Janta Darshan' event.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation demolished alleged illegal constructions at the residence and other properties of AIMIM corporator Matin Patel, who is accused of harbouring Nida Khan, wanted in connection with a TCS case.
Authorities in southwest Delhi demolished illegal constructions allegedly linked to drug peddling in the Najafgarh area. The action was conducted in areas under Baba Haridas Nagar in Dwarka, where structures outside residential houses were being used for illegal sale and distribution of narcotics.
Ideology is dead; long live the numbers game that is being played with the sole intention of securing a two-third majority in the Lok Sabha for the NDA, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district demolished 33 illegal structures used for drug-related activities, as part of the 'Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan'.
The Bombay High Court converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) saying "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy in which 25 people were killed.
Authorities in Ghaziabad intensified verification drives and sealed three unrecognised madrassas in the Khoda area following the murder of a 17-year-old boy. The incident has led to heightened security measures and political reactions.
