Campaigners against the redevelopment of Beijing’s historic Qianmen quarter suffered a heavy blow when a court in the Chinese capital rejected their attempt to sue city authorities over the forced demolition of their homes.

The Xicheng District People’s Court – which had delayed addressing the case for months – did not allow the plaintiffs to speak before issuing a ruling dismissing their lawsuit at a hearing that lasted only a few minutes and from which journalists and would-be observers with court passes were barred.