In Aali Village, a land dispute that has continued for more than two decades has left residents with a question as simple as it is consequential: who owns the land on which their homes stand?
For the families living here, the dispute is not just about government files, land records or legal terminology. It is about homes they have lived in for years, electricity connections, identity documents, property papers, and the uncertainty surrounding their future.
According to residents, the dispute dates back to 2002, when a notice stated that the land in the area belonged to the UP Irrigation Department.
The situation in the South East Delhi village became more tense after a July 31 order by the Saket Court, after which the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department carried out a demolition drive on September 26, residents said. On Monday morning, police arrived as residents gathered to protest the action.
The court directed the police, the District Magistrate and the MCD to provide assistance in executing the order, while specifically directing that no religious structure be demolished or damaged in the drive.
Around 1,800 homes and shops have been identified as unauthorised and are expected to be affected by the possession proceedings. Residents claim that between 1,000 and 1,500 people are involved in the protest, although during a field visit by Patriot, we found around 100 to 200 protesters present at the spot.
The protesters are challenging the survey from 2015 on which the possession action is based.
They claim that the survey does not properly correspond with the Aali Village map and that Khasra number 250 commonly known as Pusta has been incorrectly shown as Khasra number 361.
The residents are also saying that the Pusta area is separate from the land now being identified for possession and that around 2.27 acres of the larger parcel falls in this Pusta area.
The court, however, rejected these objections, noting that similar challenges have been raised and rejected before and that the objectors have not established an independent title over the disputed land.
The order also records that more than 500 objectors have approached the court at different stages.
Residents are continuing their protest against the possession proceedings. They say the action could affect around 1,800 homes and shops and disrupt the livelihoods of families living and working in the area.
Residents alleged that police tried to move them away from the site, but the protesters stayed put and continued their protest against the court order. Some women protesters claimed they were injured during the police action on September 28.
The situation also drew political attention, with Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan of AAP and BJP councillor Brahm Singh visiting the area.
The residents maintain that various documents and government records support their claim to the land. They point to registered deeds, electricity bills, voter ID cards, ration cards and other documents carrying their addresses.
Shanti Devi, a resident, said, “Our family has been living here for generations. These houses were not built overnight. We spent our own money on repairing them, brick by brick. This is the only home we have. If we are removed, where will we go?”
For many residents, the fear goes beyond losing a roof over their heads. They say displacement could also mean losing their sources of income.
People living in the village claim that their jobs, businesses and daily livelihoods are closely connected to the area. Moving to an unfamiliar location, they say, would mean starting their lives all over again, something many families say they cannot afford.
Sanjay, another resident, said, “We are not saying we want to leave. We have spent our entire lives here. But if the government decides to remove us, then at least give us a proper place to live and fair compensation for what we lose. We cannot be left without a home.”
Worry about children
Several families say their children attend schools in and around the area. Hospitals, markets and other essential services are also nearby. For them, relocation would not simply mean changing an address; it could disrupt an entire way of life.
“Our children study here. Their schools are here, our hospitals are nearby, and our entire life is connected to this place. If our homes are demolished, what happens to our children?” said a woman resident.
Residents say they want authorities to examine their documents before taking any action against their homes. They argue that if the government believes the construction is unauthorised, it should clearly explain the legal status of the properties and the documents residents hold.
The legal position, however, cannot be determined by electricity bills or identity documents alone. Ultimately, land ownership and title depend on relevant land records, registered documents, government notifications and court orders.
Alimuddin (name changed), a shop owner, said, “We don’t want to leave Aali. This is our home. But if we are forced to leave, then the government must give us a proper house and proper compensation. We have nowhere else to go.”
