Surat: Twenty-six residents affected by the demolition in Nasir Nagar have filed a special civil application in Gujarat High Court challenging the razing of more than 100 houses by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).The petitioners alleged that the demolition was carried out without following due process. They claimed they were neither served notices nor given prior intimation before their homes were razed and argued that the action violated their rights.The petition has been filed against the SMC and several municipal officials, as well as senior police officials. The petitioners have additionally named certain private parties whom they allege were linked to the demolition.The high court is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday.The demolition was carried out on May 30, 2026, with heavy machinery and a large workforce. According to the petition, the operation took place in the presence of municipal officials and police personnel.Following the demolition, residents alleged that the action was sudden and undertaken without compliance with mandatory procedures. They claimed they were denied an opportunity to respond or seek legal remedy as no formal notices were issued.The controversy also involves conflicting statements from civic authorities. Officials of SMC’s central zone initially denied involvement in the demolition. Municipal commissioner M Nagarajan maintained the same position until June 20, when he acknowledged in a video message that the action was carried out by the SMC. He, however, declined to comment on procedural compliance or reason for the razing, stating that the matter was sub judice.In a separate video message issued on June 11, central zone head Ashish Naik said SMC teams visited the site for demarcation work.Standing committee chairman Rajan Patel declined to comment, citing the pending court proceedings.
