Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 28: High Court has directed the former Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla to maintain status quo with regard to raising any construction and issued notice to him as well as Special Tribunal, Jammu returnable within four weeks.
These directions were passed by Justice Sanjeev Kumar in a writ petition filed by Building Operation Controlling Authority (BOCA) through Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation challenging the order dated 23.01.2017 passed by J&K Special Tribunal in case titled Raman Bhalla Versus Joint Commissioner and others whereby the demolition notice issued to the former Revenue Minister regarding unauthorized construction of the residential house at Deeli (Marble Market) was compounded at the rate of Rs 50 per square feet.
After hearing Advocate Sachin Gupta appearing for Jammu Municipal Corporation, Justice Sanjeev Kumar observed, “subject to objections from other side the former Revenue Minister is directed to maintain status quo with regard to raising any construction”.
Earlier, Advocate Sachin Gupta submitted that Raman Bhalla has committed a major violation in terms of Master Plan, Zoning Regulation as well as the bye laws and on December 16, 2015 he was issued a show cause notice whereby he was intimated about the major violations and asked to show cause within 48 hours as to why the violation should not be demolished.
Since the reply was not based upon facts the JMC accordingly issued a final demolition notice, which was challenged by the former Minister before the J&K Special Tribunal. The Tribunal vide its judgment dated January 23, 2017 compounded the illegal / unauthorized construction at the rate of Rs 50 per square feet.
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