Surat: The Minority Coordination Committee Gujarat has urged the Gujarat government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the demolition of 106 houses in Nasir Nagar, Surat, alleging violations of due process and raising concerns over administrative accountability.
In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the committee alleged that officials accompanied by a police contingent arrived at Nasir Nagar near Jilani Bridge in Surat’s Ved Darwaja area on May 30, 2026, with bulldozers and JCB machines and directed residents to vacate their homes immediately. The committee claimed that residents were not given sufficient time to remove their belongings before demolition operations began.
According to the memorandum, 106 houses were demolished over a three-day period from May 30 to June 1. The committee further alleged that when affected residents later approached officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), they were informed that the civic body had not carried out the demolition.
Expressing concern over the incident, Minority Coordination Committee Gujarat Convenor Mujahid Nafees said the reported response from the municipal corporation had raised serious questions regarding who authorised and executed the demolition operation.
“If the Surat Municipal Corporation itself states that it did not carry out the demolition, then it is essential to determine who authorised and executed the demolition of 106 homes while accompanied by a police force. This raises serious questions about the rule of law, administrative accountability, and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights,” Nafees said.
The committee has called for an independent and time-bound inquiry through an SIT. Nafees said the proposed investigation should identify all those responsible for the demolition and submit its findings within one month.
The memorandum also seeks the suspension of Additional Municipal Commissioner of Katargam Zone and other officials concerned pending the outcome of the inquiry. It further demands the registration of an FIR against those found responsible and recovery from them of the costs required to rebuild the demolished homes.
In addition, the committee has requested immediate relief and rehabilitation measures for the affected families, including temporary shelter, food, drinking water, healthcare facilities and other essential services until the investigation is completed.
Nafees also called for an inquiry into the role of the police contingent involved in the operation and the authority under which it participated. He said the affected families were entitled to justice, rehabilitation and a transparent investigation conducted in accordance with constitutional principles and the rule of law.
Copies of the memorandum have also been sent to the Chief Secretary of Gujarat, the Director General of Police, the Surat District Collector and the Surat Police Commissioner for appropriate action.
