NAGPUR: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday stayed the demolition of homes belonging to relatives of individuals accused in recent riots, ruling that the Nagpur Municipal Corporation‘s (NMC) action required legal scrutiny. The petitioners argued that the demolitions were arbitrary and in violation of Supreme Court guidelines.
The petitions were filed by 69-year-old Mehrunissa, mother of prime accused Fahim Khan, and Abdul Hafiz, whose relative was named in last week’s riots. While Khan’s home was completely razed before the court’s intervention, Hafiz’s demolition was halted following the High Court’s order.
The NMC had issued demolition notices (No. 339/MRTP/PWD/Z-9 dated 21/03/2025) under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. However, the petitioners contended that the notices contradicted the Apex Court’s ruling of November 13, 2024, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 328/2022, Writ Petition No. 295/2022, and Criminal Writ Petition No. 162/2002. The apex court had explicitly held that properties cannot be demolished solely because their owners or related individuals are accused in criminal cases.
Calling the NMC’s move a case of selective enforcement and administrative overreach, the petitioners argued that their construction plans had been approved in 2003, with all requisite payments made. No objections had been raised by the authorities in the years since.
A division bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi granted interim relief, ordering the civic body to halt further demolitions until the matter is heard in detail. The court also directed NMC to file its response before the next hearing.