The Surat Municipal Corporation shifted around 150 persons from Nasirnagar to a community hall on Saturday, nearly a month after demolitions cleared 106 structures in the area.
The demolitions took place on May 30, 31 and June 1 on what authorities described as private land in the Ved Darwaja area. Residents said they received no prior notices and had lived there for decades.
Twenty-six residents petitioned the Gujarat High Court for rehabilitation. The court heard the case on Thursday and asked municipal and police authorities for explanations. It also directed Torrent Power Ltd representatives to attend the next hearing on Monday.
Municipal Commissioner M Nagarajan said a probe team was formed after conflicting statements from officials on the reason for the action. The relocated group, which includes the petitioners, was moved to the Bharimata community hall 1.5 km away. Officials later supplied bedsheets, mattresses and water.
Resident Salma Khatun Shaikh, 70, said she had lived in the area for 50 years and lost a three-storey house. Additional City Engineer M D Chavda said all required facilities would be provided.
