Grap curbs: Delhi HC asks MCD to form panel on unsafe building demolitions

The Delhi High Court has directed the MCD commissioner to constitute a high-powered committee in consultation with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to deal with the issue of repair, sealing or demolition of dangerous and dilapidated buildings during GRAP-related restrictions. In an order passed on November 6, Justice Saurabh Banerjee observed that since demolition activities are prohibited during the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-related restrictions, the civic authorities cannot take steps for the removal of such dangerous structures till February 10, and directed that the committee be constituted as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a week. Justice Banerjee took suo motu cognisance of the imminent threat to the lives of occupants and owners of such buildings as well as to the passers-by and occupants of adjoining properties, and remarked that the court "cannot just remain a mute spectator" in the face of tragedies like the Satya Niketan building collapse. "No doubt, the