The division bench of Chief Justice K Sreedharan and Justice A R Dave also issued notice to authorities after admitting a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by People's Union for Civil Liberty (PUCL) and Lok Adhikar Sangh challenging the authorities' action. The next hearing has been posted for May 4.

According to the petitioners, the slums at Dholi Kui did not create a nuisance to any one, and they were located on a land that belongs to the State government and not the Gujarat Housing Board or the Vadodara Municipal Corporation. Besides, the people living in the slums had made several futile attempts to seek alternative site for accommodation, it was submitted. But the Gujarat Housing Board never conceded to the slum-dwellers' demand for accommodating them on a nearby 4,000 sq yard plot meant for Low Income Group Housing Scheme.

Senior counsel Girish Patel contended on behalf of the petitioners that the GHB's action violated principles of natural justice as no notice was given to the slum-dwellers before launching the demolition drive. He submitted that GHB action lacked legal action.