India, July 21 -- The Supreme Court on Monday declined to urgently hear a plea seeking protection against the demolition of a property, saying the petitioner must first approach the jurisdictional high court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana refused to entertain the matter directly.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the authorities were proceeding with the demolition despite the existence of a duly sanctioned building plan. According to the petitioner, the construction had been raised pursuant to the sanctioned plan, while the authorities alleged that the structure had been built on land falling within a pond area.

The counsel urged the bench to grant immediate protection...