User of land and buildings in contravention of plans
Section 14 of the Delhi Development Act, 1957 deals with user of land and buildings in contravention of plans. After the coming into operation of any of the plans in a zone no person shall use or permit to be used any land or building in that zone otherwise than in conformity with such plan: Provided that it shall be lawful to continue to use upon such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by regulations The Act came into force on 30 Dec 1957.
After the coming into operation of any of the plans in a zone no person shall use or permit to be used any land or building in that zone otherwise than in conformity with such plan:
Provided that it shall be lawful to continue to use upon such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by regulations made in this behalf any land or building for the purpose and to the extent for and to which it is being used upon the date on which such plan comes into force.
Section 14, The Delhi Development Act, 1957 (Act 61 of 1957).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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D.d.a. vs K.p.trading Co.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A subsequent prosecution for a continuing offence under Section 14 read with Section 29(2) of the Delhi Development Act is contingent upon a conviction in the first offence. The statutory language 'after conviction for the first commission of the offence' in Section 29(2) establishes this as a prerequisite. Additionally, a sanction order for prosecution must contain reference to earlier cases and demonstrate application of mind; a sanction passed in a mechanical manner without such reference is invalid. In appeals against acquittal, the principles of double presumption of innocence and benefit of doubt ordinarily operate in favour of the accused, and the trial court's acquittal should not be lightly interfered with.
On this section: Provision regarding permitted use of land and buildings; the accused were charged with using residential premises for commercial purposes in contravention of this section
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 14
What have the courts held on Section 14 of the Delhi Development Act?
D.d.a. vs K.p.trading Co. (30 Jan 2025) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Provision regarding permitted use of land and buildings; the accused were charged with using residential premises for commercial purposes in contravention of this section.
How do I find court cases under Section 14 of the Delhi Development Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Delhi Development Act 1957 14, section 14 Delhi Development Act 1957, section 14 of the Delhi Development Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with D.d.a. vs K.p.trading Co. (30 Jan 2025).
What should I read with Section 14 of the Delhi Development Act, and has it changed?
2 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it.
When did Section 14 of the Delhi Development Act come into force?
Section 14 of the Delhi Development Act, cited as Delhi Development Act 1957 14, came into force on 30 Dec 1957, having been enacted on 27 Dec 1957. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 31. Power to stop development778 words
- 3. The Delhi Development Authority632 words
- 56. Power to make rules617 words
- 30. Order of demolition of building596 words
- 43. Service of notices, etc557 words
- 60. Repeal, etc., and savings462 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.