No orders for eviction, demolition, dispossession to be carried out till June 30th.

The Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay delivered a judgment providing a sense of relief to all those facing eviction, dispossession or demolition during these times. He recognised that the second wave had greatly limited the access to justice and therefore deemed it necessary and appropriate to stay all such proceedings till June 30th.

Relevant extracts of the said order have been reproduced below-

“It is further directed that conditional orders of any court/tribunal/authority allowing occupation of any premises subject to payment of rent or occupation charges will continue, notwithstanding the non-deposit of rent or occupation charges between April 9, 2021 and May 7, 2021. Similarly, for failure and/or omission to deposit rent or occupation charges in terms of the rent control legislations and/or the other relevant statutes will not immediately make the tenant or occupant liable for eviction till May 7, 2021 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

This Bench further directs that all other conditional orders of the court/tribunal/authority will continue to remain in operation till May 7, 2021 or until further orders, notwithstanding the non-fulfillment of the conditions imposed.

It is also directed that any order or decree for eviction/dispossession/demolition which might have been passed by any court/tribunal/authority subsequent to April 9, 2021 shall remain in abeyance till May 7, 2021, unless directed otherwise in the meanwhile. It would be desirable if till May 7, 2021 or until further orders, whichever is earlier, removal of encroachers without notice is not resorted to.”