HC disposes Chandola residents’ plea, allows them to seek rehabilitation from AMC

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court on Tuesday disposed of a petition filed by 58 people living in the Chandola area. The petitioners raised the issue of rehabilitation by questioning the status of the land—whether it is a lake or govt land.The high court dismissed the petition without delving into the merits of the case. It permitted the petitioners to apply to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to avail themselves of the benefits of a rehabilitation scheme. The civic body has been instructed to decide on their request in accordance with the law.The petitioners claimed that they were Indian citizens and not illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. They did not challenge the AMC and the state govt's assertion that they were encroachers who erected illegal or unauthorized constructions near Chandola Lake.They cited a letter issued by AMC to the District Inspector Land Records (DILR) for the measurement of the land to ascertain the waterbody's land. The petitioners contended that this survey was not conducted. If their houses are found on govt land, and not on the lake's land, they are entitled to the benefits of the rehabilitation scheme. For this, the authorities have to register their occupation. Once demolition is complete and their houses are flattened, they will be left with no proof to show their occupation. It is the govt's claim that they resided in this place for a long time.Last week, the HC refused to stay the demolition drive but kept a petition pending on the issue of rehabilitation.