Allahabad High Court Halts Demolition of Dalmandi Properties, Orders Status Quo in Varanasi Road-Widening Dispute
By Rajesh Pandey
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Varanasi Municipal Commissioner and other concerned authorities to maintain the status quo regarding three properties in the Dalmandi area of Varanasi and refrain from carrying out any demolition action based on notices issued in May 2026.
The order comes amid an ongoing dispute surrounding a large-scale demolition drive in Dalmandi, a project linked to the proposed widening of roads leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
The initiative forms part of a broader plan to improve connectivity, ease congestion and strengthen infrastructure in the temple precinct and surrounding areas.
Authorities have stated that the drive aims to remove structures considered unsafe, unauthorised or encroaching on public land.
The project is intended to facilitate smoother movement for pilgrims, residents and visitors while enhancing access to one of the country’s most significant religious sites.
The matter reached the High Court after Alimun Nisha, Rashid Zafar and Zul Karnain filed separate writ petitions challenging notices issued by the Zonal Officer-cum-Assistant Municipal Commissioner of Varanasi Nagar Nigam under Section 331 of the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi heard the petitions and directed the respondent authorities to submit their respective counter-affidavits.
The court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for July 20, 2026.
The demolition campaign has generated concern among a section of residents and property owners, many of whom argue that the proposed action is unlawful and could adversely affect their homes, businesses and heritage-linked structures.
According to official records, the Varanasi district administration has identified around 187 buildings in the Dalmandi locality for demolition as part of the road-widening project.
The initiative is being implemented with the support of the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA).
The notices under challenge relate specifically to the proposed demolition of the petitioners’ properties.
The petitioners contended that although they had submitted objections to earlier notices issued under Section 331 of the 1959 Act, no final orders had been passed or served on them before the demolition notices were issued.
Their counsel argued before the court that, in the absence of a final decision on those objections, the demolition notices were legally unsustainable and liable to be set aside.
After hearing the submissions, the court observed that the issues raised in the petitions required detailed consideration. It accordingly directed the State Government, Varanasi Nagar Nigam and other respondents to file their replies within three weeks.
As an interim measure, the Bench ordered all parties to maintain the existing position regarding the properties covered by the disputed notices.
The court also specifically restrained the authorities from carrying out any demolition activity pursuant to the notices until further orders.
In its order dated June 12, the High Court stated that the properties forming the subject matter of the dispute would remain protected from demolition while the case is under judicial consideration.
The matter will now be taken up again on July 20, when the court is expected to review the responses filed by the authorities and consider the next course of action.
