Delhi High Court Directs DDA To Expedite Dispute Resolution; Sets Strict Deadlines For Review Committee

A Bench of Justice Dharmesh Sharma has mandated that each lawyer on the DDA’s panel at the Delhi High Court identify a minimum of ten cases and focus on resolving the core issues in these cases. The key issues identified are mutation and demarcation of properties, conversion from leasehold to freehold status, allotment of flats, and issues related to unauthorized constructions or deviations from sanctioned plans.

Furthermore, the Court has instructed the Vice Chairman of the DDA to establish a review committee to oversee this process. The committee will review recommendations from the DDA’s panel lawyers, who are required to submit their suggestions in a sealed cover. This review committee will seek input from officials across various departments, evaluate these inputs, and aim to resolve the disputes either through Lok Adalats (alternative dispute resolution forums) or the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre.

The Court set a tight timeline for these actions, the Court added, “As a punishment in these contempt proceedings, the contemnor is directed to constitute a Review Committee by September 4, 2024. The Committee shall invite inputs from Panel Lawyers by September 7, 2024, and shall hold daily meetings for at least one hour from September 9, 2024. The Committee must then submit a final proposal for amicable dispute resolution, case-wise, to the Secretary, Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee, by September 12, 2024. Upon submission, the matters may be taken up, after notice to the parties, in the ensuing Lok Adalat on September 14, 2024. The Review Committee meetings be held on a regular basis every week, after 14th September, 2024”

For cases where referral to the Lok Adalat is not feasible or if ongoing negotiations lead to delays or if there is a lack of notice to the parties involved, the review committee has the option to refer these matters for resolution to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre.

Additionally, the Court has mandated that a balance sheet be prepared at the end of each month to assess the referrals made and the settlements achieved. This directive comes in the context of a contempt of court petition filed against the DDA. Although the Court has absolved the DDA officials of contempt, it has highlighted significant delays and the proliferation of unnecessary litigation involving the DDA, making it one of the largest litigants in the country.

Cause Title: Bimla Sachdev v. Subur & Anr., [2024:DHC:6665]

Appearance:

Petitioner: Advocates Dilip Singh and R. Karthik

Respondents: Senior Advocate Arvind Varma, along with advocates Shobhana Takiar, Smridihi Sharma, and Kuljeet Singh.