Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 6 Jul: In a joint operation conducted on Monday, the Municipal Council and the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) re-sealed approximately 40 to 50 flats in a controversial six-story building located near Masonic Lodge (Dimri Niwas). During the operation, three families resisted vacating the premises; subsequently, Mussoorie SDM Rahul Anand arrived at the site and ordered them to vacate the building within 48 hours. A warning was issued stating that if the deadline expires without compliance, the administration will forcibly remove the occupants.
Reports indicate that the building was constructed without MDDA approval or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department. The High Court had previously issued directives to maintain the status quo and halt the allotment of the flats. Despite this, people began residing in the building. It is noteworthy that in 2023, the district administration and MDDA, led by the then Joint Secretary Nandan Kumar, had sealed this very building. Allegedly, the seal was later broken, and the flats were occupied. 
Furthermore, new flats were constructed in areas that were still under development, and people began living in them. This entire sequence of events has raised serious questions regarding the monitoring mechanisms of the municipality and relevant departments.
SDM Rahul Anand stated that High Court directives are paramount and will be enforced at all costs. The occupants of the three currently inhabited flats have been granted a 48-hour window. If the building is not vacated by then, the administration will take forcible action. He mentioned that the High Court has sought a report on the building’s current status. Future actions will be determined by the orders issued by the Court during the next hearing; if the Court orders demolition, the administration will implement that as well. MDDA Assistant Engineer Ajay Malik stated that the newly constructed building was sealed in 2023; however, individuals subsequently broke the seals, occupied the flats, and even carried out further construction in some areas. In compliance with High Court directives, all the flats have been resealed, and the authority will submit its report to the court during the next hearing.
During the operation, flat owners expressed their displeasure, noting that the administration had not intervened while the building was under construction. Meanwhile, locals argue that merely sealing the flats is insufficient; there must also be an investigation into how the 2023 seals were broken, how the building came to be occupied despite court orders, and what action will be taken against the officials responsible. All eyes are now on the High Court’s next hearing, where a final decision regarding the building’s future may be announced.
Officials present at the site included Executive Officer Gaurav Bhasin, Mussoorie Station House Officer (SHO) Devendra Chauhan, and the Naib Tehsildar, along with a heavy police contingent and staff.
