Supreme Court Orders Action Against 16,726 Illegal Structures In Meerut; Justice Dhulia To Probe Illegal Colonies

The Supreme Court has directed authorities to take prompt action against 16,726 structures identified as illegal and unauthorised in Zone-A of Meerut, including asking occupants to vacate the premises and sealing the structures, with demolition to follow.

A Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan, in an order dated September 21, 2026, also appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia as Chairperson of a Judicial Commission to conduct an extensive inquiry into the alleged illegal residential colonies that have come up in Uldepur, on the outskirts of Meerut.

The directions were passed after the Court considered a fresh status report submitted by P. Guruprasad, Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad, detailing action taken pursuant to the Court's earlier order of July 14, 2026. The report covered sealed properties, unauthorised constructions in mandatory setback areas, illegal construction at Uldepur, EWS/LIG properties and illegal commercial constructions in other parts of Meerut.

Court noted that notices had been issued in respect of 44 properties that had been sealed. Of these, 20 had already been demolished, with unauthorised commercial use discontinued.

According to the status report, 38 of the 44 properties had sanctioned building plans but the owners had raised unauthorised additional constructions and were using the properties for commercial purposes. The remaining six properties had been sold as plots, upon which unauthorised residential and commercial structures were constructed without sanctioned plans or maps. The Court directed the authorities to demolish the remaining 24 sealed properties at the earliest.

The Bench further noted that unauthorised constructions in mandatory setback areas had been identified in 201 properties. While such constructions had been completely removed from 63 properties, demolition was continuing in the remaining 138. The Court directed that these 138 properties also be dealt with expeditiously.

Court orders probe into illegal colonies at Uldepur

The Bench said it was "shocked and disturbed" by the status report indicating that hundreds of illegal residential colonies had come up at Uldepur.

The Court was informed that the land parcels were privately owned and had been purchased by members of the public. However, the residential colonies had allegedly been constructed without obtaining permissions or sanctioned plans from the Meerut Development Authority.

The Supreme Court said a judicial commission was necessary to examine, among other issues, whether the land belonged to the Government, who the lawful owners were if it was privately owned, and how transactions between landowners and purchasers had taken place.

The Commission will also examine why the Meerut Development Authority allegedly remained inactive for more than five years while the colonies came up, and whether the colonies were constructed in alleged collusion or connivance with officials of the Authority. If so, the Commission has been asked to identify the officials responsible.

Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia to head Judicial Commission

The Court appointed Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, former Judge of the Supreme Court, as Chairperson of the Judicial Commission. The order permits Justice Dhulia to induct other members into the Commission as he considers necessary for an effective inquiry. The Commission may also examine additional issues that it considers appropriate beyond the specific questions framed by the Court.

The State of Uttar Pradesh has been directed to provide secretarial assistance to the Commission. Meerut Development Authority Commissioner P. Guruprasad has been designated as the nodal officer to coordinate with Justice Dhulia.

The State has also been directed to deposit ₹35 lakh in the Supreme Court Registry within one week towards remuneration for Justice Dhulia and any co-opted members.

Demolition of illegal structures at Uldepur ordered

Pending the Commission's inquiry, the Court directed the authorities to proceed with the demolition of each illegal structure at Uldepur.

It further directed that demolition debris be removed effectively and expeditiously on a daily basis so that residents do not face unnecessary inconvenience or hardship.

Details of the Status report

The status report also disclosed the results of a survey undertaken across Meerut. The city had been divided into four zones—A, B, C and D—for inspection and survey.

In Zone-A, 16 teams identified 16,726 structures as absolutely illegal/unauthorised. The Supreme Court has directed authorities to take appropriate action against all 16,726 structures. As the first step, occupants are to be asked to vacate the premises and the structures are to be sealed. The Court also indicated that demolition was to be undertaken thereafter.

The Bench stressed that prompt action was necessary, noting that some structures could be in a dilapidated condition and potentially pose a risk of collapse and casualties. It cautioned that if an untoward incident resulted in loss of innocent lives, the responsible government officer would be held personally liable.

Court noted that the status report did not provide details regarding the number of illegal structures in Zones B, C and D. It has thus directed the authorities to submit a comprehensive report concerning all three zones at the next hearing. Meanwhile, since illegal constructions in Zone-A had already been identified, action against them was ordered to proceed.

The bench has left the question of rehabilitation to the Government, making clear that its immediate concern was the demolition of illegal buildings, structures and shops in Meerut. It further warned that anyone—including public servants, elected representatives or other officials or individuals—who obstructed the demolition process would be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.

The matter has been listed for December 9, 2026 at 2 PM, when the Court is expected to consider the next status report concerning Uldepur and Zones A, B, C and D of Meerut.

Case Title: BIMALENDU PRADHAN VERSUS STATE OF ODISHA