The Supreme Court has intervened to protect the residents of Sonapur’s Kosutoli from potential eviction and demolition. On Monday, a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan issued a stay order against the eviction drive following a contempt of court petition filed by 48 villagers. The apex court has also directed the state government to file a response within three weeks.
Previously, the residents had approached the Supreme Court arguing that recent eviction and demolition activities contravened the court’s interim order. This order had halted all eviction drives across the country without prior notice, with exceptions for illegal structures on public property or those under existing court orders.
The residents of Kosutoli, deemed “illegal settlers” on tribal land by the Kamrup Metro district administration, contend that their homes were wrongfully marked for demolition without prior notice. Their counsel, Advocate Adeel Ahmed, asserted that these villagers have lived on the land since the 1920s, well before the establishment of tribal belts. They argue that they hold rightful ownership through power of attorney and have long-established proof of residency, including utility services and identification documents.
The petitioners emphasized that authorities had promised the Gauhati High Court interim protection from evictions. However, the district administration proceeded regardless.
The backdrop of this legal battle includes a deadly clash on September 12 between police and residents during an eviction drive, resulting in two fatalities.
This evolving situation underscores the tension between governmental policies and long-standing residents’ rights, as the Supreme Court stands as a critical arbiter in the conflict.
