IndiaIn Surat, Gujarat, 117 shanties in the Nasirnagar settlement were demolished in late May and early June under unclear circumstances, leading to accusations of a 'ghost demolition.' Residents claim they were not informed of the action, received no eviction notices, and were unable to challenge the decision or recover their belongings. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) initially stated it was only involved in marking the alignment for a proposed road-widening project, but bulldozers destroyed the homes anyway. The Gujarat High Court has questioned the legality of the demolition, noting that the SMC did not have authorization for the destruction, and criticized the police for not intervening. Following the court hearing, five SMC officials were suspended, but no criminal case (FIR) has been filed, and no official has taken responsibility for the incident. Displaced residents now live in temporary shelters and seek compensation and justice.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, citing multiple perspectives including residents, local officials, and the Gujarat High Court. It does not favor any particular side, and the framing remains balanced throughout the report.
