The Delhi Development Act, 1957
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Section 19 [Omitted.].
Section 20 [Omitted.].
Section 21 Disposal of land by the Authority or the local authority concerned.
(a) any land acquired by the Central Government and transferred to it, without undertaking or carrying out any development thereon; or
(b) any such land after undertaking or carrying out such development as it thinks fit,
to such persons, in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions as it considers expedient for securing the development of Delhi according to plan.
(2) The powers of the Authority or, as the case may be, the local authority concerned with respect to the disposal of land under sub-section (1) shall be so exercised as to secure, so far as practicable, that persons who are living or carrying on business or other activities on the land shall, if they desire to obtain accommodation on land belonging to the Authority or the local authority concerned and are willing to comply with any requirements of the Authority or the local authority concerned as to its development and use, have an opportunity to obtain thereon accommodation suitable to their reasonable requirements on terms settled with due regard to the price at which any such land has been acquired from them:
Provided that where the Authority or the local authority concerned proposes to dispose of by sale any land without any development having been undertaken or carried out thereon, it shall offer the land in the first instance to the persons from whom it was acquired, if they desire to purchase it subject to such requirements as to its development and use as the Authority or the local authority concerned may think fit to impose.
(3) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as enabling the Authority or the local authority concerned to dispose of land by way of gift, mortgage or charge, but subject as aforesaid reference in this Act to the disposal of land shall be construed as reference to the disposal thereof in any manner, whether by way of sale, exchange or lease or by the creation of any easement right or privilege or otherwise.
Section 22 Nazul lands.
(2) No development of any nazul land shall be undertaken or carried out except by, or under the control and supervision of, the Authority after such land has been placed at the disposal of the Authority under sub-section (1).
(3) After any such nazul land has been developed by, or under the control and supervision of, the Authority, it shall be dealt with by the Authority in accordance with rules made and directions given by the Central Government in this behalf.
(4) If any nazul land placed at the disposal of the Authority under sub-section (1) is required at any time thereafter by the Central Government, the Authority shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, replace it at the disposal of that Government upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between that Government and the Authority.
Section 22A Power of Authority to develop land in non-development area.
Section 23 Fund of the Authority.
(a) all moneys received by the Authority from the Central Government by way of grants, loans, advances or otherwise;
1[(aa) all moneys borrowed by the Authority from sources other than the Central Government by way of loans or debentures;]
(b) all fees and charges received by the Authority under this Act;
(c) all moneys received by the Authority from the disposal of lands, buildings and other properties, movable and immovable; and
(d) all moneys received by the Authority by way of rents and profits or in any other manner or from any other source.
(2) The fund shall be applied towards meeting the expenses incurred by the Authority in the administration of this Act and for no other purposes.
(3) The Authority may keep in current account of the State Bank of India or any other bank approved by the Central Government in this behalf such sum of money out of its fund as may be prescribed by rules and any money in excess of the said sum shall be invested in such manner as may be approved by the Central Government.
(4) The Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make such grants, advances and loans to the Authority as that Government may deem necessary for the performance of the functions of the Authority under this Act; and all grants, loans and advances made shall be on such terms and conditions as the Central Government may determine.
1[(5) The Authority may borrow money by way of loans or debentures from such sources (other than the Central Government) and on such terms and conditions as may be approved by the Central Government.
(6) The Authority shall maintain a sinking fund for the repayment of moneys borrowed under sub-section (5), and shall pay every year into the sinking fund such sum as may be sufficient for repayment within the period fixed of all moneys so borrowed.
(7) The sinking fund or any part thereof shall be applied in, or towards, the discharge of the loan for which such fund was created, and until such loan is wholly discharged it shall not be applied for any other purpose.]
Section 24 Budget of the Authority.
Section 25 Accounts and audit.
(2) The accounts of the Authority shall be subject to audit annually by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any expenditure incurred by him in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Authority to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any person appointed by him in connection with the audit of accounts of the Authority shall have the same right, privilege and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India has in connection with the audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect the office of the Authority.
(4) The accounts of the Authority as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government and that Government shall cause a copy of the same to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.
Section 26 Annual report.
Section 27 Pension and provident funds.
(2) Where any such pension or provident fund has been constituted, the Central Government may declare that the provisions of the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (19 of 1925), shall apply to such fund as if it were a Government Provident Fund.
Section 28 Powers of entry.
(a) making any enquiry, inspection, measurement or survey or taking levels of such land or building;
(b) examining works under construction and ascertaining the course of sewers and drains;
(c) digging or boring into the sub-soil;
(d) setting out boundaries and intended lines of work;
(e) making such levels, boundaries and lines by placing marks and cutting trenches;
(f) ascertaining whether any land is being or has been developed in contravention of the master plan or zonal development plan or without the permission referred to in section 12 or in contravention of any condition subject to which such permission has been granted; or
(g) doing any other thing necessary for the efficient administration of this Act:
Provided that--
(i) no such entry shall be made except between the hours of sunrise and sunset and without giving reasonable notice to the occupier, or if there be no occupier, to the owner of the land or building;
(ii) sufficient opportunity shall in every instance be given to enable women (if any) to withdraw from such land or building;
(iii) due regard shall always be had, so far as may be compatible with the exigencies of the purpose for which the entry is made, to the social and religious usages of the occupants of the land or building entered.
Section 29 Punishments.
29. 1[Punishments.]---2[(1) Any person who whether at their own instance or at the instance of any other person or any body (including a department of Government) undertakes or carries out development of any land in contravention of the master plan or zonal development plan or without the permission, approval or sanction referred to in section 12 or in contravention of any condition subject to which such permission, approval or sanction has been granted, shall be—
(a) punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, if such development relates to utilising, selling or otherwise dealing with any land with a view to the setting up of a colony without a lay out plan;
(b) liable to penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees in any case, other than those referred to in clause (a).]
(2) Any person who uses any land or building in contravention of the provisions of section 14 or in contravention of any terms and conditions prescribed by regulations under the proviso to that section shall be 3[liable to penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and in case of a continuing contravention, with further penalty which may extend to two thousand and five hundred rupees for every day during which such contravention continues after the order imposing penalty has been passed and
confirmed for the first contravention].
4[(3) Any person who obstructs the entry of a person authorised under section 28 into or upon any land or building shall for the first contravention be liable to penalty which may extend to ten thousand rupees and for any second or subsequent contravention, to the punishment provided under section 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023).
(4) Any person who assaults any person authorised under section 28 to enter into or upon any land or building, after such entry, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.]
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for “Penalties” (w.e.f. 1-8-2026).
2. Subs. by s. 2 and Sch., ibid., for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-8-2026).
3. Subs. by s. 2 and Sch., ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 1-8-2026).
4. Subs. by s. 2 and Sch., ibid., for sub-section (3) (w.e.f.1-8-2026)
Section 30 Order of demolition of building.
(i) in relation to a development area, any officer of the Authority empowered by it in this behalf,
(ii) in relation to any other area within the local limits of a local authority, the competent authority thereof,
may, in addition to any prosecution that may be instituted under this Act, make an order, directing that such development shall be removed by demolition, filling or otherwise by the owner thereof or by the person at whose instance the development has been commenced or is being carried out or has been completed, within such period (not being less than five days and more than fifteen days from the date on which a copy of the order of removal, with a brief statement of the reasons therefor, has been delivered to the owner or that person) as may be specified in the order and on his failure to comply with the order, the officer of the Authority or, as the case may be, the competent authority may remove or cause to be removed the development and the expenses of such removal shall be recovered from the owner or the person at whose instance the development was commenced or was being carried out or was completed as arrears of land revenue:
Provided that no such order shall be made unless the owner or the person concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity to show cause why the order should not be made.
(1A) If any development in an area other than a development area has been commenced or is being carried on or has been completed in contravention of the master plan or zonal development plan or without the approval or sanction referred to in section 12 or in contravention of any conditions subject to which such approval or sanction has been granted and the competent authority has failed to remove or cause to be removed the development within the time that may be specified in this behalf by the 2[Lieutenant Governor] of the 3[National capital territory of Delhi], the 2[Lieutenant Governor] may, after observing such procedure as may be prescribed by rules made in this behalf, direct any officer to remove or cause to be removed such development and that officer shall be bound to carry out such direction and any expenses of such removal may be recovered from the owner or the person at whose instance the development was commenced or was being carried out or was completed as arrears of land revenue.]
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5[(2A) Any person aggrieved by the direction of the 6[Lieutenant Governor] under sub-section (1A) may appeal to the Central Government within thirty days from the date thereof, and the Central Government may after giving an opportunity of hearing to the person aggrieved, either allow or dismiss the appeal or may reverse or vary any part of the direction.]
7[(3) The decision of 8[the Central Government on the appeal and subject only to such decision], the direction under sub-section (1A), shall be final and shall not be questioned in any court.
(4) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other provision relating to demolition of buildings contained in any other law for the time being in force.]
2. Subs. by Act 36 of 1996, s. 2, for "Administrator" (w.e.f. 21-12-1996).
3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for "Union territory of Delhi" (w.e.f. 21-12-1996).
4. Omitted by Act 38 of 1984, s. 4 (w.e.f. 12-5-1985).
5. Ins. by Act 56 of 1963, s. 14 (w.e.f. 30-12-1963).
6. Subs. by Act 36 of 1996, s. 2, for "Administrator" (w.e.f. 21-12-1996).
7. Subs. by Act 56 of 1963, s. 14, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 30-12-1963).
8. Subs. by Act 38 of 1984, s. 4, for certain words, brackets and figure (w.e.f. 12-5-1985).
Section 31 Power to stop development.
1[31. Power to stop development.--(1) Where any development in any area has been commenced in contravention of the master plan or zonal development plan or without the permission, approval or sanction referred to in section 12 or in contravention of any conditions subject to which such permission, approval or sanction has been granted,--
(i) in relation to a development area, the Authority or any officer of the Authority empowered by it in this behalf,
(ii) in relation to any other area within the local limits of a local authority, the competent authority thereof,
may, in addition to any prosecution that may be instituted under this Act, make an order requiring the development to be discontinued on and from the date of the service of the order, and such order shall be complied with accordingly.
(2) Where such development is not discontinued in pursuance of the order under sub-section (1), the Authority or the officer of the Authority or the competent authority, as the case may be, may require any police officer to remove the person by whom the development has been commenced and all his assistants and workmen from the place of development 2[or to seize any construction material, tool, machinery, scaffolding or other things used in such development] within such time as may be specified in the requisition and such police officer shall comply with the requisition accordingly.
2[(2A) Any of the things caused to be seized by the Authority or the officer of the Authority or the competent authority, as the case may be, under sub-section (2) shall, unless the owner thereof turns up to take back such things and pays to the Authority, the officer of the Authority or the competent authority, as the case may be, the charges for the removal or storage of such things, be disposed of by it or him by public auction or in such other manner and within such time as the Authority, the officer of the Authority or the competent authority thinks fit.
(2B) The charges for the removal and storage of the things sold under sub-section (2A) shall be paid out of the proceeds of the sale thereof and the balance, if any, shall be paid to the owner of the things sold on a claim being made therefor within a period of one year from the date of sale, and if no such claim is made within the said period, shall be credited to the fund of the Authority or the competent authority, as the case may be.]
(3) If any development in an area other than a development area has been commenced in contravention of the master plan or zonal development plan or without the approval or sanction referred to in section 12 or in contravention of any conditions subject to which such approval or sanction has been granted and the competent authority has failed to make an order under sub-section (1) or, as the case may be, a requisition under sub-section (2), within the time that may be specified in this behalf by the 3[Lieutenant Governor] of the 4[National Capital Territory of Delhi], the 3[Lieutenant Governor] may, after observing such procedure as may be prescribed by rules made in this behalf, direct any officer to make the order or requisition, as the case may be, and that officer shall be bound to carry out such direction and the order or requisition made by him in pursuance of the direction shall be complied with accordingly.
(4) After the requisition under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) has been complied with, the Authority or the competent authority or the officer to whom the direction was issued by the 5[Lieutenant Governor] under sub-section (3), as the case may be, may depute by a written order a police officer or an officer or employee of the Authority or local authority concerned to watch the place in order to ensure that the development is not continued.
(5) Any person failing to comply with an order under sub-section (1) or, as the case may be, under sub-section (3), shall be 3[liable to penalty which may extend to two thousand rupees for every day during which the non-compliance continues after the service of the order].
(6) No compensation shall be claimable by any person for any damage which he may sustain in consequence of the removal of any development under section 30 or the discontinuance of the development under this section.
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(8) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other provision relating to stoppage of building operations contained in any other law for the time being in force.]
1 Subs. by Act 56 of 1963, s. 15, for section 31 (w.e.f. 30-12-1963).
2 Ins. by Act 38 of 1984, s. 5 (w.e.f. 24-2-1986).
3. Subs. by Act 36 of 1996, s. 2, for "Administrator" (w.e.f. 21-12-1996).
4. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for "Union territory of Delhi" (w.e.f. 21-12-1996).
5. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for certain words (w.e.f. 1-8-2026)
6. Omitted by Act 38 of 1984, s. 5 (w.e.f. 24-2-1986).
Section 31A Power to seal unauthorised development.
(2) Where any development has been sealed, the Authority or the competent authority, as the case may be, may, for the purpose of removing or discontinuing such development order the seal to be removed.
(3) No person shall remove such seal except--
(a) under an order made by the Authority or the competent authority under sub-section (2); or
(b) under an order of the Appellate Tribunal or the 1[Lieutenant Governor] of the 2[National Capital Territory of Delhi], made in an appeal under this Act.]
2. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for "Union territory of Delhi" (w.e.f. 21-12-1996).
3. Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 24-2-1986).
Section 31B Appellate Tribunal.
Section 31C Appeals.
(a) an order of the Authority granting or refusing to grant permission for development under sub-section (3) of section 13;
(b) an order of the Authority or the local authority disposing of any land under section 21;
(c) an order of the Authority in the course of dealing with any nazul land developed by it under section 22;
(d) an order of an officer of the Authority or the competent authority made under sub-section (1) of section 30, for the removal of any development;
(e) an order of the Authority or an officer of the Authority, or the competent authority made under sub-section (1) of section 31, for discontinuing any development;
(f) an order of the Authority or the competent authority made under section 31A, directing the sealing of any development.
(2) An appeal under this section shall be filed within thirty days from the date of the order appealed against:
Provided that the Appellate Tribunal may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period.
(3) An appeal to the Appellate Tribunal shall be made in such form and shall be accompanied by a copy of the order appealed against and by such fees as may be prescribed by rules.]
Section 31D Appeals against orders of Appellate Tribunal.
(2) The provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 31C and the provisions of section 347C of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 (66 of 1957), and the rules made thereunder, shall, so far as may be, apply to the filing and disposal of an appeal under this section as they apply to the filing and disposal of an appeal under the said section 31C.
(3) An order of the 2[Lieutenant Governor] on an appeal under this section, and subject only to such order, an order of the Appellate Tribunal under section 31C and subject to such orders of the 2[Lieutenant Governor] or an Appellate Tribunal, an order of the Authority, officer of the Authority, local authority or competent authority referred to in sub-section (1) of that section shall be final.
Explanation.--In sections 30, 31, 31A and 31D, "competent authority" in relation to a local authority means any authority or officer of that local authority empowered or authorised to order demolition or stoppage of buildings or works, in accordance with the provisions made by or under the law governing such local authority.]
2. Subs. by Act 36 of 1996, s. 2, for "Administrator" (w.e.f. 21-12-1996).
3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for "Union territory of Delhi" (w.e.f. 21-12-1996).
Section 31E Bar of jurisdiction of courts.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), every suit, application or other proceeding pending in any court immediately before the commencement of section 6 of the Delhi Development (Amendment) Act, 1984 (38 of 1984), in respect of any order, appealable under section 31C shall continue to be dealt with and disposed of by that court as if the said section had not been brought into force.]
Section 32 Offences by companies.
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this section--
(a) "company" means a body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) "director" in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm.