Quick Summary: On December 2, 2025, the Delhi High Court made some important decisions about renovation work in Defence Colony, New Delhi. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had asked Fareha Ahmad Khan to stop her renovation work and pay a fine. The court has now paused the fine and allowed some work under strict conditions.
Fareha Ahmad Khan was told by the MCD on November 14, 2025, to stop renovation work at her property in Defence Colony. They also asked her to pay a fine of Rs. 30,000. This was because of rules under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act and the National Green Tribunal Act.
When the case was first heard on November 28, 2025, the court asked MCD officials to check the property. They wanted to make sure that any work done was within the rules of the Graded Response Action Plan-II (GRAP-II), which limits construction activities due to air quality concerns.
The MCD checked the property on November 28, 2025, and gave advice on what work could continue. The court allowed Fareha to do only those activities that fit within GRAP-II rules. The court stressed that the work must strictly follow these guidelines.
“The petitioner shall carry out the said works strictly in compliance with the directions issued by the MCD.”
Regarding the Rs. 30,000 fine, the court noted that Fareha should appeal to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) since the MCD claimed the fine was under the Commission for Air Quality Management Act. Fareha disagreed with this, but the court suggested she approach the NGT anyway.
The court, led by Justice Mini Pushkarna, decided to pause the fine for four weeks to allow Fareha to appeal. The other MCD order from November 14, 2025, was declared irrelevant.
With these directions, the court wrapped up the case, allowing Fareha some room to continue her renovation within the legal limits.
