New Delhi, Aug 12, 2026 — The Supreme Court has taken a hard line against decades of unauthorised construction and unchecked commercial activity in residential neighbourhoods across the country, ordering civic authorities in Delhi, Patna, Lucknow and other cities to act on a “war footing.” The directive could trigger large-scale demolition and sealing drives in the coming weeks.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan pointed to recent fire tragedies — including a blaze at a Delhi hotel and another at a Lucknow coaching centre that killed several people — as evidence of the human cost of allowing illegal and non-compliant structures to operate unchecked.
Delhi: Court Rebukes Civic Bodies Over Survey Delays
The bench expressed sharp displeasure with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) after both bodies failed to begin surveys of the Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar markets, despite earlier court orders to check for rule violations and potential safety hazards.
The Court had directed on July 9 that a committee — including two IIT Delhi professors — be formed to assess the structural integrity of buildings in these areas and identify violations. That committee has still not been constituted, prompting the bench’s rebuke.
Patna: Over 26,000 Violations Uncovered
In a fresh affidavit, the Patna Municipal Corporation disclosed that a court-ordered survey has so far turned up 26,746 cases of residential properties being used for commercial purposes. In an order passed on August 5, the Supreme Court said the scale of the figure exposed serious negligence by successive municipal commissioners in enforcing the rules.
The bench noted that until the Court took up the matter, the civic body had no record of the scale of these violations or of who was responsible for them. A former municipal commissioner, Parashar, told the Court in his own affidavit that around 500 violation cases came to light during his tenure — of which the corporation took suo motu notice in 81 cases and passed orders in 129. He said action was taken under the law in more than 397 complaints and 22 other cases.
The Court was unconvinced, saying it found no reasonable explanation for such limited enforcement from an officer who held the post for nearly four years. It has issued a show-cause notice asking Parashar why action should not be taken against him for the lapses during his tenure.
Lucknow: LDA Ordered to Survey City, Complete Action in Three Weeks
The Supreme Court has directed the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) to carry out a survey similar to Delhi’s, to identify unauthorised construction and commercial activity in residential properties across the city.
LDA Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar told the bench that 51 properties have already been identified and that enforcement action has begun, with an affidavit assuring the Court the process would be carried out “without delay” and taken to its logical conclusion. He added that follow-up action across the LDA’s entire jurisdiction would continue on a war footing and be completed within three weeks.
LDA Also Targets Builders Misusing “Compounding” Route
Separately, the LDA has announced it will crack down on builders and property owners who have applied for compounding (“shaman”) of illegal construction but never followed through — either by not paying the required fees or by not submitting proper building maps — apparently to shield themselves from enforcement action while their applications remain pending.
At a review meeting on Tuesday of zone-wise pending compounding cases, Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar found that several builders had filed online compounding applications after enforcement drives began, but showed no further interest in completing the process. Officials said such applicants have been unresponsive when contacted.
The LDA has now ordered a sealing drive against such structures within a week, with demolition to follow through the courts where required. At the same time, cases where owners are genuinely willing to pay for additional FAR (floor area ratio) and clear their dues will be fast-tracked without delay.
The Authority also said residents will now be able to file objections and suggestions online through the LDA website in cases involving change of land use.