<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gujarat High Court has temporarily stayed the demolition of eight shops in Bahiyal village of Gandhinagar district, ordering that no action be taken until October 16, 2025. The decision came after shop owners challenged notices issued by the authorities regarding alleged encroachments on a public road.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">On Friday, the court directed the eight petitioners to submit supporting ownership documents within seven days, warning that failure to do so would permit officials to resume the demolition process after the deadline.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The petitioners had approached the court against notices issued by the Deputy Executive Engineer earlier this month, arguing that they were given only two days, following a notice dated October 6, to remove the alleged encroachments.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Their counsel contended that the traders had not been given a fair opportunity to present their case and that they had been conducting business at the same location for several years.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The lawyer also claimed that the action followed the communal clashes during Navratri and amounted to punitive treatment of the traders.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Representing the state, the government pleader told the court that the petitioners had been granted a full week to respond. He added that the affected structures fall under the Roads and Buildings Department and that Section 105(2) of the Gujarat Panchayat Act would not apply in this case.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The state further maintained that adequate opportunity had been given to the owners and that the removal of encroachments was essential to ease traffic congestion.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The demolition drive in Bahiyal began after violent incidents during Navratri, when stone-pelting and arson were reported in the village.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gandhinagar administration had launched an extensive operation to remove over 180 unauthorised commercial structures linked to those accused in the unrest.</span></div>

Guj HC Halts Bahiyal Shop Demolition Till Oct 16

HC pauses demolition of eight Bahiyal shops, allowing traders time

Guj HC Halts Bahiyal Shop Demolition Till Oct 16

HC pauses demolition of eight Bahiyal shops, allowing traders time

October 10, 2025 | 20:55 IST