Delhi High Court Directs Centre to Decide on Sainik Farm Regularisation

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday observed that it is "high time" authorities decide the fate of residents living in Sainik Farm, asking the Centre to take a definitive call on regularising the south Delhi area, which is categorised as an "affluent colony" by the Delhi Development Authority and the government.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia stated that residents should know their fate, telling the counsel for the central government that a decision must be taken regardless of the nature of the outcome.

The court directed the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Delhi government, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to hold a joint meeting. The outcome of this meeting must be placed before the court through an affidavit sworn by a competent authority from the ministry.

The bench observed that the ongoing indecision by government agencies has left residents unable to carry out basic repairs on their properties. While noting that unauthorised construction remains illegal, the court stated that the government could formulate a scheme to chart a path forward.

The bench suggested that authorities could conduct a survey, prepare a plan, levy development charges, protect certain types of constructions, and identify structures that may need to be demolished.