The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered about 700 families living in a settlement near Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence to vacate within six weeks. A division bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued the order, citing the matter before it involving the settlement near the prime minister’s residence.

The court also formed a seven-member committee led by former Delhi district judge Man Mohan Sharma to monitor and supervise rehabilitation. The committee, including senior officials from different government authorities, will operate for six months. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board was directed to provide transport for residents’ household goods and other belongings to Savda Ghevra.

Residents opposed relocation to Savda Ghevra, saying it is about 45 kilometres from their current settlement and could cost them their livelihoods. Many work in labour-intensive jobs near the prime minister’s residence, and they also cited shortages of schools and basic facilities at the relocation site. The government said unauthorised structures in such a sensitive area pose risks to national security, public safety and critical infrastructure. It offered free Metro cards for each resident for one year, potentially extendable up to three years, and free bus travel for one family member per household for a year.