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Allahabad HC stays razing of house in Varanasi’s Dal Mandi area
The Allahabad High Court stayed the demolition of a house in Varanasi's Dal Mandi area, after a demolition notice was issued and later challenged in court. The court sought an inspection report and directed status quo until the next hearing.
Why It Matters
The case highlights legal scrutiny of demolition in the Dal Mandi corridor project and raises questions about due process in issuing demolition notices.
Timeline
4 Events
May 2, 2026: HC stays demolition and sets fresh hearing
May 2, 2026
The Allahabad High Court stayed the demolition of the petitioner’s house and directed that the case be listed on May 7, 2026 as fresh. It also ordered status quo as on May 2, 2026, with no demolition to take place until the next hearing. The Dal Mandi corridor project is referenced as the broader context for the demolition.
April 30, 2026: HC directs production of inspection report
April 30, 2026
In an April 30 order, the Allahabad High Court directed the Nagar Nigam’s advocate to produce the Dal Mandi area inspection report dated April 15, 2026, on the basis of which the demolition notice was issued.
April 15, 2026: Demolition notice issued in the name of a deceased person
April 15, 2026
A demolition notice was issued on April 15, 2026 in the name of Shamshu Nisha Begum, a deceased person, which the petitioner’s counsel described as rendering the process void ab initio.
January 30, 2026: House not on dilapidated buildings list
January 30, 2026
The petitioner contends the house (no. 39/12) was not listed as a dilapidated building as of January 30, 2026, even though the Varanasi Nagar Nigam had demanded its demolition within seven days on grounds of dilapidation.