The Supreme Court has appointed former judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia to head a judicial commission probing illegal residential colonies at Uldepur in Meerut and directed authorities to proceed against 16,726 unauthorised structures identified in Zone-A.
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New Delhi: Expressing shock over the scale of unauthorised construction in Meerut, the Supreme Court has constituted a judicial commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia to investigate hundreds of illegal residential colonies that have allegedly come up at Uldepur on the city’s outskirts.
A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan also directed the authorities to proceed expeditiously against illegal structures across Meerut, including 16,726 unauthorised constructions identified in Zone-A during an official survey.
The directions were issued after the Court examined a fresh status report filed through an affidavit by P. Guruprasad, Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad. The report detailed action taken after the Court’s previous order dated July 14, 2026.
Remaining 24 sealed properties must be demolished
The status report dealt with 44 sealed properties, removal of constructions in mandatory setback areas, illegal colonies at Uldepur, misuse of economically weaker section and lower-income group properties, and a fresh survey of unlawful commercial construction elsewhere in Meerut.
According to the report, notices were issued to the owners of the 44 sealed properties. Twenty properties had already been demolished and their unauthorised commercial use discontinued.
Of the 44 properties, 38 reportedly had sanctioned building plans but contained additional unauthorised construction and were being used commercially. The remaining six were sold as plots upon which residential and commercial structures were constructed without sanctioned plans or map approval.
The Supreme Court directed the authorities to ensure that the remaining 24 sealed properties are demolished at the earliest.
Action ordered against 138 remaining setback violations
The Court was informed that unauthorised constructions in mandatory setback areas had been identified at 201 properties. The setback violations at 63 properties had been completely removed, while action remained pending against 138.
Directing the authorities to continue the exercise expeditiously, the Bench ordered demolition of the unauthorised setback constructions at the remaining 138 properties.
Judicial commission to investigate Uldepur colonies
The Court said it was “shocked and disturbed” to learn that hundreds of illegal residential colonies had come up at Uldepur, situated on the outskirts of Meerut.
During the hearing, the Bench was told that the parcels were owned by different individuals and had been purchased by members of the public, but the residential colonies were constructed without permission or sanctioned plans from the Meerut Development Authority.
The judicial commission has been asked to investigate:
- Whether the land occupied by the illegal residential colonies belongs to the government.
- If it is not government land, the identities of the lawful owners of the parcels.
- The manner in which transactions took place between the original landowners and purchasers.
- Why the Meerut Development Authority remained inactive for more than five years while the colonies were constructed.
- Whether the colonies came up in collusion or connivance with officials of the Development Authority and, if so, which officials were responsible.
The Court authorised Justice Dhulia to induct additional members into the commission if required for an effective inquiry. The commission may also examine any further issue it considers necessary.
Uttar Pradesh directed to deposit ₹35 lakh
The State of Uttar Pradesh must provide the secretariat and secretarial assistance required by the commission. P. Guruprasad, who was also identified in the order as the Meerut Development Authority Commissioner, has been appointed the nodal officer for coordination with Justice Dhulia.
For the remuneration of Justice Dhulia and any co-opted commission member, the State has been directed to deposit ₹35 lakh in the Supreme Court Registry within one week. The amount must be placed in a short-term fixed deposit with a nationalised bank on an auto-renewal basis.
The authorities have simultaneously been directed to demolish every illegal structure at Uldepur and remove demolition debris daily so residents are not subjected to avoidable inconvenience or hardship.
16,726 illegal structures identified in Zone-A
The report stated that Meerut had been divided into Zones A, B, C and D for inspection. Sixteen teams surveying Zone-A identified 16,726 structures as completely illegal or unauthorised.
These comprised 12,907 residential structures, 874 residential-cum-non-residential structures and 2,945 non-residential constructions.
The Court directed the authorities to begin by asking occupants to vacate and sealing all 16,726 premises. Appropriate demolition action must thereafter proceed at the earliest.
Noting the possibility that some dilapidated structures could collapse and cause casualties, the Bench warned that if an untoward incident results in the loss of innocent lives, the responsible government officer would be held personally liable.
The report did not disclose the number of illegal structures in Zones B, C and D. The concerned authority must file a comprehensive report concerning those zones on the next hearing date, while prompt action continues in Zone-A.
Commercial activity stopped in 486 EWS and LIG properties
The Court also recorded that commercial activities were being conducted in 486 properties earmarked for economically weaker sections and lower-income groups. The status report claimed that action had been taken to stop those commercial activities.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Navin Pahwa submitted that the government could consider rehabilitating EWS and LIG occupants elsewhere. The Court left rehabilitation to the government but emphasised that its immediate concern was the demolition of illegal buildings, structures and shops in Meerut.
Calling the figures “alarming” and the overall situation “extremely grim and serious,” the Bench directed the demolition exercise to continue and ordered a further status report.
State told to protect petitioner facing threats
The petitioner’s counsel informed the Court that his client had been receiving threats from different quarters. The Bench directed the State to ensure that no harm is caused to the petitioner’s life or limb.
The Court further warned that any person—including a public servant, elected representative, official or private individual—who obstructs the demolition process would be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.
The Chairman of the U.P. Awas Evam Vikas Parishad has been asked to join the next proceedings online. The batch will be taken up again on December 9, 2026, at 2 p.m.
Case: Bimalendu Pradhan v. State of Odisha and connected matters
Proceeding: Contempt Petition (Civil) No. 877/2025 in Civil Appeal No. 14604/2024
Coram: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan
Order Date: September 21, 2026