New Delhi: In an interim relief, Delhi High Court on Monday evening paused MCD’s demolition of a house in Uttam Nagar belonging to the main accused in the murder of 26-year-old Tarun Kumar, who was allegedly beaten to death during clashes on Holi.The move came after MCD officials, accompanied by Delhi Police, initiated demolition action at the property in the morning, alleging violation of building bylaws. Soon afterwards, the daughter of the accused, who is in Tihar jail after his arrest in the case, approached HC in the afternoon. She sought the court’s urgent intervention, alleging that despite HC’s earlier order, no notice or opportunity was given to the family by the civic agency.Justice Amit Bansal gave seven days’ time to the petitioner to approach MCD’s appellate tribunal against the move. It also directed the civic body to hold off on the demolition for 10 days.A senior police officer told TOI that that one of the properties targeted during the demolition drive against illegal construction belonged to relatives of the accused. “We were present at the site to provide security. Several buildings had already been sealed as part of the process,” the officer said.MCD officials maintained that prior notices were served to defaulters before the action. “This was a routine demolition drive against unauthorised structures, and due process was followed. Three plots had been amalgamated in violation of building norms. Two notices were served earlier, after which the action was carried out,” a senior MCD official said.On March 8 too, MCD had carried out demolition of alleged illegal encroachments linked to the main accused, including constructions on a public drain, to restore water flow in Uttam Nagar. After the action, the civic body had said it was part of a routine anti-encroachment drive, and not a punitive measure targeting the accused. HC then intervened and directed MCD to halt further demolitions for a week while hearing petitions filed by the families.On March 4, a quarrel had broken out in Uttam Nagar after a balloon was allegedly thrown from a rooftop, which escalated to a violent clash in which Kumar was killed.
