Delhi HC dismisses plea challenging order of demolition of shooting coach Jung's house

New Delhi [India], August 5 : The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition challenging and seeking the quashing of an order for the demolition of shooting Coach Samresh Jung's house in Khyber Pass in the Civil Lines area of Delhi. Jung has coached Olympic medal winner Indian shooter Manu Bhaker.
Jung's brother Samir Jung moved the High Court against the demolition order of March 1, 2024.
Justice Sanjeev Narula dismissed the plea saying that the petitioner has no legal right on the property as it was subleased to the petitioner's family.
Central Government has issued a notice for demolition to the occupants spread over 32 acres of land in the Khyber Pass area of civil lines.
Sameer Jung moved a petition through Advocate Rohit Yadav, Sahil Siddiqui and Gultash Guron.
The petitioner stated that his family was legally inducted sub-tenants of the property over 70 years ago. Petitioner and Samaresh Jung are residing on this property.
It was contended that a Notice dated March 1 arbitrarily declared all residents (1000 people approximately) of the Khyber Pass Market (area 32 acres) as unauthorized occupiers and squatters, and initiated a blanket eviction demolition drive, without issuing any show cause Notice or an opportunity of hearing to the Petitioner.
The Respondent No. I (Union of India) made no attempt to verify the legal status of the Petitioner as a legal sub-tenant and did not follow the due procedure required to evict the Petitioner and his family, the plea said.
The plea also highlighted that the contributions of the Petitioner's Family in service of our nation have time and again been recognized and in return, the Petitioner's family has been treated unfairly and unjustly.
The grandfather of the Petitioner, Colonel Sher Lung, was a freedom fighter and war hero, and in December 2013, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, to commemorate the contribution of Colonel Sher Lung to our Country, changed the name of "Simbalbara National Park" in Sirmour District to "Col. Sher Jung National Park," the plea stated.
It is also stated that the Petitioner's brother, Samaresh Jung, at present is in Paris, working as the Head coach of the Indian Air Pistol team, which has till now won two Bronze Medals in the Olympics 2024.
Further, Samaresh Lung won two gold medals in the 2002 Commonwealth Games and he also won 15 medals in various international competitions from 1994 to 2006, the added. His family is facing the risk of being forced out.
While dismissing the petition, Justice Narula said that it sounds difficult but it is a fact. Authorities have initiated the action and some houses have been demolished. Making exceptions will be difficult.
Jung's family is residing in the Bhutta Singh Building and they sought direction for Authorities not to evict them.