Gandhinagar: The Gujarat High Court has ordered a temporary halt to the demolition of eight shops in Bahiyal village after their owners alleged that the action unfairly targeted members of the minority community.
On October 9, the Gandhinagar district administration demolished 186 commercial structures in Bahiyal, calling them illegal encroachments. The large-scale operation was conducted amid tight security, with about 300 police personnel present. Officials said most of the demolished units were built on public land and obstructed roads.
Following the demolitions, eight shopkeepers approached the High Court, challenging the October 6 encroachment notice issued by the Bahiyal Gram Panchayat. They argued that the authorities acted selectively and without giving them a fair opportunity to respond. Justice Mauna Bhatt directed that the notices be treated as show-cause notices and instructed officials to maintain the status quo on the eight shops until October 16. The court granted the petitioners seven days to submit their responses.
The demolition drive took place soon after communal unrest during the Navratri festival, when members of the minority community were accused of stone-pelting and vandalism following a social media post. Authorities said several demolished structures belonged to people allegedly involved in the incident, including around 50 individuals with prior criminal records.
Gandhinagar Collector Mehul Dave maintained that the administration had removed almost all illegal constructions identified in the area.
