Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court has directed the municipal commissioner of Varanasi and other district authorities concerned to maintain status quo on three premises in Dalmandi area of Varanasi and not to carry out any demolition in pursuance of the notice issued on May 25, 2026.Directing the authorities concerned to file their respective replies, a division bench comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi said that the case be listed for July 20, 2026, for next hearing.Alimun Nisha, Rashid Zafar and Zul Karnain had filed three separate writ petitions challenging the notice dated May 25, 2026 – issued by zonal officer/assistant municipal commissioner, Varanasi Nagar Nigam, under Section 331 of the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959 – for demolition of buildings.A demolition drive is being carried out in Dalmandi area of Varanasi to widen the road to improve access to the Kashi Vishwanath temple and enhance infrastructure around it.Structures that are deemed unsafe or unauthorised are being demolished in the drive to reclaim encroached land.The Varanasi district administration has identified 187 buildings in Dalmandi area for demolition, with the project being supported by the public works department (PWD) and the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA).The petitioners said no final orders on the earlier objections had been passed or served on them. Therefore, the notice to demolish their premises was illegal, they said.While observing that the matter requires consideration, the court, in its order passed on June 12, directed the state govt counsel, counsel for nagar nigam and other respondents to file their respective replies within three weeks.“Meanwhile, parties shall maintain status quo regarding premises which is subject matter of the notice dated May 26, 2026, and the respondents are restrained from carrying out demolition in pursuance to notice dated May 26, 2026”, the court said.
