Supreme Court Upholds Demolition Order for Signature View Apartments

The Supreme Court of India has declined to halt the demolition of the Signature View Apartments, located in Mukherjee Nagar, north Delhi. This decision follows a ruling from the Delhi High Court that determined the residential complex was structurally unsafe. The Supreme Court’s bench, comprised of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe, rejected a plea from the residents’ association seeking to challenge the high court’s order, which was issued on September 17, 2024.

In its ruling, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to proceed with the demolition while minimizing inconvenience to the residents. The court emphasized that the buildings posed a risk to safety, and the DDA was instructed to establish a camp office within the complex to assist residents in completing necessary documentation for vacating their flats. Residents are allowed to remove personal belongings, including electrical and bathroom fixtures, prior to vacating.

The Signature View Apartments, launched in 2010 as part of a flagship DDA housing project, consists of 336 flats spread across twelve blocks. Initially, 224 flats were designated for the higher income group (HIG), while 112 flats catered to the middle income group (MIG). Although possession was granted by 2012, residents soon reported significant structural issues, including falling plaster, widening cracks in pillars, and visible damage to the external walls.

The September order followed a ruling by a single-judge bench in December 2023, which affirmed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) declaration that the structures were unsafe. The single judge upheld the DDA’s authority to demolish and reconstruct the project. The DDA has maintained that the deteriorating structures are beyond repair and that reconstruction is the only viable solution.

Residents have expressed concerns about the timeline for relocation and the terms of reconstruction. With the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene, the DDA is now set to initiate demolition preparations. “We appeal to all resident owners to vacate before October 12, 2025, as directed by the court,” stated Amrendra Rakesh, president of the residents’ welfare association (RWA). He also urged the DDA to expedite payments of enhanced rent and arrears during the demolition process.

The court’s decision reinforces the urgency of addressing the safety concerns associated with the Signature View Apartments, allowing the DDA to take necessary actions to ensure the well-being of residents in the area.