Samaresh Jung - Pistol Coach Of Olympic Medallists Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh - Gets House Demolition Notice

Samaresh Jung, the national pistol shooting coach who guided Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh to bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, returned home to distressing news.

His residence and neighbourhood are set for demolition within two days. Jung, an Olympian himself, received the notice alongside other inhabitants of the Khyber Pass locality in Delhi's Civil Lines area.

The Land and Development Office (LNDO) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issued the notice. They asserted that the land on which the Khyber Pass colony is situated belongs to the Ministry of Defence, rendering the settlement illegal.

Immediate eviction notice

In an interview with IANS, Jung expressed his bewilderment regarding this sudden demolition drive.

"It is in their plan and I don't even know about it. They have declared the entire colony illegal...My family has been living here for the last 75 years, since the 1950s. We went to court but our petition was rejected," he told IANS.

Jung mentioned that they have been asked to vacate within two days.

"We just want some time; it is not possible that you announced today and tomorrow we vacate the house and leave," he said.

Social media outcry

On Thursday evening, Jung took to social media platforms to express his distress over this abrupt notice. "After the euphoria of Indian shooters winning two Olympic medals, I, the team coach, just returned home from the Olympics to the disheartening news that my house and locality is to be demolished in 2 days," Samaresh posted on X on Thursday night.

He further added, "There has been no proper information or notice. How can families living here since 75 years vacate in 2 days? It is shocking that @LDO_GoI makes a haphazard announcement of demolition with a notice of 2 days, without any clarity of the exact area to be demolished."

Legal proceedings

The demolition drive at Khyber Pass in Delhi's Civil Lines area began last month and has been subject to recent legal proceedings. The Delhi High Court ruled on July 9 that the land was originally under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence. Residents were served a notice on July 1 to vacate by July 4.

This notice was contested, leading to an urgent hearing on July 3 where the court allowed demolition provided procedures were followed. The final hearing on July 9 concluded with a decision against petitioners due to lack of evidence supporting their claim.

Jung also appealed for more time and clarity on social media: "Being an Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, least I expect, along with community, is a dignified exit. I appeal for clarity on the matter and at least 2 months to vacate properly." He tagged several prominent figures including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.