Delhi: NDMC demolishes illegal portion part of Rohini ashram
What's the story
The North Delhi Municipal Corporation(NDMC) conducted a demolition drive in self-styled godman Baba Virendra Dev Dixit's ashram in Vijay Vihar near Rohini. Earlier in December 2017, more than 100 girls, kept under illegal confinement, were rescued from the ashram named Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidhyalaya, after a joint team of Delhi Police and Delhi Commission for Women(DCW) raided the five-storey building. Here's more.
The demolition
Demolition drive conducted on Delhi HC's instructions
The drive was carried out as per Delhi High Court's instructions. A North MCD official said, "We have already demolished portions of the second and fifth floor, as well as the tin, shed on the terrace since they were unauthorized constructions." "There was mild resistance from the residents so we had to use police protection," he added.
Notice
Ashram was given prior notice to remove illegal structures
As per reports, the ashram was served prior notice to remove the illegal constructions. However, that went unheard. The civic body officials said that the last notice was served to the ashram on January 25. Even though around 100 women still stay in the ashram, they did not resist the demolition drive saying they had no idea about the godman's whereabouts.
Details
Demolition drive praised by DCW chief
The demolition drive was praised by the DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal, who took to the micro-blogging social media site Twitter and wrote, "Though late but MCD finally took action. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for them to show their face on the next date." She added, "The baba's fort will now be demolished where girls were exploited."