The Supreme Court of India has directed both parties to maintain status quo in the ongoing demolition at Chharanagar, a slum area in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The order came in response to an urgent plea filed by 49 slum dwellers who alleged that demolition was taking place despite a prior court protection.
“Let status quo be maintained by the parties till the next date of hearing,”
— Supreme Court Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh
The plea was mentioned on April 24, 2025, and the court initially ordered a halt to demolition activities until April 28. However, due to ongoing demolition actions, it was mentioned again the following day for immediate relief.
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Petitioner’s counsel, Advocate-on-Record Sumitra Kumari Choudhary, informed the Court that slum dwellers were receiving just ₹6000 as rent for alternate accommodation, which was insufficient even for a basic place to stay. The Bench advised them to temporarily accept what was being offered and assured that the Court would address any rent shortfalls.
The case revolves around a Public Notice issued on January 29, 2025, under Sections 11 and 13 of the Gujarat Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance, and Redevelopment) Act, 1973. The notice required slum dwellers to vacate their homes within 30 days.
The affected residents approached the Gujarat High Court earlier, challenging the notice and the demolition on March 20, 2025, citing that they were not served individual notices and were given insufficient time to vacate.
The State Government argued that the area had been declared unsafe and unfit for human habitation back in 2019 and that all procedures under the Slum Act were followed. A private developer had been assigned for redevelopment, and most affected residents were already receiving rehabilitation benefits.
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The Gujarat High Court, in its April 2, 2025 order, dismissed the slum dwellers’ plea, noting that the declaration of the area as a “Slum Clearance Area” was legally valid. The court stated that 508 beneficiaries were already relocated and seven residential blocks were constructed. Hence, it could not be accepted that the 49 petitioners were unaware of the developments.
“If petitioners are eligible slum-dwellers under the applicable policy, they will receive good quality housing post redevelopment,”
— Gujarat High Court Observation
Although the High Court granted 30 days’ time to vacate voluntarily upon filing an undertaking, the matter has now reached the Supreme Court, which has posted it for hearing on April 28, 2025.
Until then, the demolition has been stayed and status quo will be preserved at the site. The outcome of the next hearing will determine whether the rights and rehabilitation of the 49 slum dwellers will be protected under the state’s policy.
Case Title: JADEJA BHANUBEN v. STATE OF GUJARAT, Diary No. 20660/2025
