Vakalatnama filed to challenge demolition of 150 houses in Jamshedpur
The fight against the demolition of homes in Jamshedpur’s slum areas takes a significant legal turn.
JAMSHEDPUR – Residents facing eviction in Indira Nagar and Kalyan Nagar have officially authorized a team of advocates to represent them in the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Santosh Gupta, leading the Indranagar-Kalyan Nagar Basti Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, has submitted a Vakalatnama to empower their legal representatives.
The authorized team includes advocates Manasi Bachani, Isha Krishna, Dr. BP Neelratna, Soumitra Jaiswal, Shubham Upadhyay, Geetanjali Sanyal, and Surya Gupta.
This legal move follows discussions between Jamshedpur East MLA Saryu Roy and Senior Advocate Sanjay Upadhyay in Delhi.
The Vakalatnama has been filed in preparation for the upcoming NGT hearing scheduled for August 23.
At the core of the dispute is a notice from the Jamshedpur Local Planning Authority (JPLA) to demolish over 150 houses in Kalyan Nagar, Indira Nagar, and Chhaya Nagar.
Residents were initially given a 14-day eviction notice on July 6, with a July 20 deadline to justify why their homes should be spared.
The demolition order stems from a multi-agency survey following NGT instructions.
MLA Saryu Roy has pledged support to the residents, assuring them he will oppose the demolition of their homes.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between urban development and the rights of long-term slum dwellers.
Local activists argue that many affected families have resided in these areas for generations and deserve proper rehabilitation.
Environmental concerns cited in the demolition order are being contested by residents who claim they are not encroaching on protected land.
The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar disputes in other parts of Jharkhand and beyond.
As the hearing date approaches, tension and anticipation are mounting among the affected communities in Jamshedpur.
