Though there is a categorical ban from the Supreme Court on the demolition of properties belonging to either accused or convicted individuals, the Delhi Police are reportedly trying to employ new tactics to circumvent the apex court's ruling by targeting properties belonging to alleged drug traffickers in the capital.
They have identified around 102 structures linked to alleged drug traffickers, who have been arrested in a series of operations, and have reportedly conducted spot investigations which found violations of building bylaws, urging the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to demolish them, The India Express reported.
The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police undertook an extensive investigation, identifying these structures—primarily located in Northeast, Outer, North, and West Delhi—belonging to key figures in drug trafficking.
Following the arrests of numerous individuals involved in drug peddling, the police initiated spot inspections to document alleged building violations. A comprehensive report was subsequently prepared and submitted to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), requesting the demolition of the identified properties.
Senior police officials highlighted that many of the targeted buildings were owned by individuals who had been arrested multiple times in the past but were released on bail. The decision to pursue this demolition strategy was made during a recent meeting of Delhi’s narco-coordination centre (NCORD), which includes representatives from various governmental bodies and is tasked with enhancing drug law enforcement.
At this meeting, police officials reported sharing the list of 102 structures with the MCD to ensure compliance with building regulations. The urgency of the situation was underscored by the police's frustration with previous attempts to prosecute these drug traffickers under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MACOCA), which had often faltered due to insufficient evidence during trial.
The MCD's initial response indicated that action had been taken against five of the structures identified, with further investigations underway for the remainder. However, senior officials voiced dissatisfaction during the NCORD meeting and labelled the MCD's efforts as superficial and insufficient. Some structures were reported to fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), complicating the demolition efforts.
During the discussions, it was stressed that demolitions should be thorough rather than partial. Officials expressed the need for the MCD to expedite the process and deliver a report detailing actions taken against the properties in question. Furthermore, the Delhi Police were encouraged to investigate provisions within the recently implemented Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which may enable stricter measures against drug traffickers.