Section 27 empowers the Vice‑Chairman to order demolition where development has been commenced, is being carried on, or has been completed in contravention of the master or zonal plan, without the required permission, or contrary to the conditions of permission. The provision generally requires issuance of notice specifying the grounds of proposed demolition and stipulating a time between a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 40 days within which the owner must demolish or alter the work to conform to law.[12][6][3]

If the owner fails to comply, the Authority may itself demolish the structure and recover the cost from the person who undertook or allowed the unauthorised development, typically treating the amount as arrears of land revenue. Courts have emphasised that before demolition under Section 27, principles of natural justice must be scrupulously followed, including real and effective service of notice and reasonable opportunity of hearing. In a recent case on demolitions in Prayagraj, the Supreme Court described the Authority’s action as “inhuman and illegal” and stressed that demolition under Section 27 must not violate the right to housing under Article 21.[13][14][6][10][4]