Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 9: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding illegal constructions in Katra, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Tashi Rabstan today issued notice to Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary to show cause why proceedings under Contempt of Courts Act be not initiated against him for non-compliance of the directions. The Division Bench also directed Chief Secretary to ensure service of notice on Deputy Commissioner Reasi.
When this contempt petition came-up for hearing, Division Bench observed, “there was no impediment in enforcement and implementation of the directions issued by this court for sealing and demolishing of various categories of buildings listed in the order following the dismissal of SLP by the Supreme Court”.
“The respondents have been dragging their feet and are avoiding to implement the directions which call for their explanation under the contempt jurisdiction. A list of 27 structures was furnished and in most of the cases construction work was stopped as it was without permission”, the DB said, adding “the nature of the buildings was disclosed to be commercial/residential and therefore, it was covered by the exception created by Section 5 of the J&K Civic Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2014”.
The DB also took notice of the report submitted by the Chief Executive Officer, Katra Development Authority listing 17 buildings where construction work was under progress but stopped because the construction was without permission or in violation of the Master Plan or any other rules/regulations.
After hearing Advocates Ajay Sharma and Parag Sharma for the petitioners, the DB issued notice to Deputy Commissioner Reasi to show cause why proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act be not initiated against him.
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