SC Orders Sealing of 16,726 Illegal Structures in Meerut
The Supreme Court has directed authorities to seal and demolish thousands of unauthorised structures in Meerut while ordering an inquiry into illegal colonies in Uldepur.
- 16,726 unauthorised structures identified in Meerut’s Zone-A.
- Authorities ordered to vacate, seal and demolish illegal properties.
- A judicial commission will investigate the growth of illegal colonies in Uldepur.
Meerut: The Supreme Court has directed Uttar Pradesh authorities to take immediate action against 16,726 illegal and unauthorised structures in Meerut, including residential and commercial properties. The order was passed on September 21, 2026, while the court was hearing a contempt petition concerning non-compliance with earlier directions on illegal construction. The court has also ordered action against unauthorised structures across Meerut’s four identified zones.
The Supreme Court Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan said the scale of unauthorised construction was serious and required urgent intervention. According to the status report submitted by the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad, the identified properties in Zone-A include 12,907 residential structures, 874 residential-cum-non-residential structures and 2,945 non-residential constructions.
The court has directed officials to first ask occupants to vacate the identified premises and then seal the properties. It has also ordered that the unauthorised structures in Zone-A be demolished. The Bench expressed concern that some buildings could be in a dangerous or dilapidated condition and warned that government officers could face personal responsibility if negligence resulted in loss of life.
The court also flagged the situation in Uldepur, on the outskirts of Meerut, where hundreds of illegal residential colonies have reportedly developed. It has constituted a judicial commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia to examine how these colonies came up and the nature of the land involved. The commission will also look into allegations of possible official collusion and examine why the Meerut Development Authority allegedly remained inactive for more than five years.
The court also reviewed action taken against 44 properties in Uldepur. Notices had been issued to the owners, and 20 of these properties had already been demolished, according to the report placed before the court.
The report stated that 38 of the 44 properties had sanctioned building plans, but unauthorised additions were subsequently made and the premises were also used for commercial purposes. The remaining six properties had reportedly been sold as plots, after which residential and commercial structures were constructed without approved plans or maps.
The Supreme Court has now directed authorities to demolish the remaining 24 sealed properties at the earliest.
The Meerut survey divided the city into Zone-A, Zone-B, Zone-C and Zone-D. While detailed figures were available for Zone-A, the status report did not provide sufficient information about the extent of unauthorised construction in the other three zones.
The court has therefore sought a comprehensive report covering Zones B, C and D at the next hearing. Authorities have also been directed to continue the demolition drive and submit an updated status report on the action taken.
The judicial commission headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia will examine the circumstances surrounding the development of illegal colonies in Uldepur, including the role of officials, if any. The Supreme Court has listed the matter for hearing in December, when it is expected to review the progress of demolition and enforcement action across Meerut.
The case could have wider implications for unauthorised colonies, illegal construction and commercial use of residential properties where development has taken place without the required approvals.
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