Illegal constructions near Krishna Janmabhoomi : SC halts demolition drive for 10 days in Mathura

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered status quo on a demolition drive by the railways at Nai Basti near Krishna Janmabhoomi in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura. The status quo will remain effective for 10 days.

A three-member bench headed by justice Aniruddha Bose passed the interim order on a plea filed by Yakub Shah, a 66-year-old resident who claimed that the houses of those who have been residing in the area since 1880 were being demolished.

It was argued by senior advocate Prashanto Chandra Sen on behalf of the petitioner that the demolition work commenced by the railways on August 9. An interim application against the demolition was filed before a civil court the very next day on August 10. However, Sen submitted that the case was adjourned after the lawyer representing the railways said he had no instructions on the matter.


Although the civil court was slated to hear the matter on August 14, it remained shut that day as court work was suspended following a resolution by the State Bar Council, the lawyer informed the bench. As a result, the Allahabad High Court also remained closed on August 14.

SC was told that the railways had already bulldozed more than 100 houses and only 70-80 houses remained.