Dalmandi demolition notice: Allahabad High Court orders status quo for three premises in Varanasi

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Varanasi municipal commissioner and other authorities to maintain status quo on three Dalmandi premises and not proceed with demolition based on a May 25 notice. The order follows writ petitions challenging action under the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959. The next hearing is listed for July 20.

The Allahabad High Court has ordered Varanasi officials to pause demolition steps linked to three Dalmandi premises. The court told the municipal commissioner and other authorities to keep the present situation unchanged. The direction relates to a demolition notice dated May 25. The case connects to a road widening plan leading to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The demolition action in Dalmandi has focused on making the approach road to the temple wider. Officials have described the plan as part of wider infrastructure work near the temple area. The activity includes removing structures seen as unsafe or unauthorised. Authorities also aim to clear encroached land to ease movement for residents and visitors.

Allahabad High Court order on Varanasi demolition notice

Three residents, Alimun Nisha, Rashid Zafar and Zul Karnain, filed separate writ petitions against the May 25 notice. The notice was issued by the assistant municipal commissioner of the Varanasi Nagar Nigam. It was issued under section 331 of the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959. The petitions asked the court to stop action on their premises.

The petitioners said their earlier objections were not decided through any final order. The petitioners also said no such order was served on them. On that basis, their counsel argued the demolition notice was unlawful. The court noted the dispute needed examination before further steps by authorities.

Varanasi demolition drive linked to Dalmandi project

The High Court bench of Justices Salil Kumar Rai and Swarupama Chaturvedi asked respondents to place their versions on record. The court directed the Uttar Pradesh government, the Nagar Nigam and other respondents to file replies. The court gave three weeks for counter-affidavits. The next hearing was scheduled for July 20.

The order dated June 12 recorded the restraint in clear terms. "Meanwhile, parties shall maintain status-quo regarding premises which is subject matter of the notice dated May 25, 2026, and the respondents are restrained from carrying out demolition in pursuance to notice dated May 25, 2026,\" the court said. The restraint applies to the three premises under challenge.

Dalmandi demolition drive and identified buildings in Varanasi

Local concerns have grown as the demolition drive has led to protests in the area. Some residents have claimed the action is illegal and harms livelihoods. Others have raised worries about the area’s heritage. These concerns have surfaced alongside official plans to change the road layout near the temple route.

The Varanasi district administration has listed 187 buildings in Dalmandi for demolition. The work has support from the Public Works Department PWD and the Varanasi Development Authority VDA. For now, the High Court order keeps the three disputed premises protected from action. The wider project in Dalmandi remains under public and legal scrutiny.

With inputs from PTI