Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 1: The Bar Association of Budgam has expressed deep shock and disappointment over the transfer of 20 kanals of land at Ichgam, for the construction of Maharashtra Bhavan, instead of the New District Court Complex.
“This move, which contradicts the unanimous resolution of the Bar Association as well as other directives of Government including that of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Commissioner Secretary, Department of Revenue, Secretary Department of Law and Justice and High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in favor of the court complex, is a disheartening setback for the judicial infrastructure project,” the Bar said.
The process initiated by the Principal District & Sessions Judge Budgam for identifying suitable land, measuring 117 kanals and 19 marlas, had already received approval from the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (communication no. 39424/RG/inf dated 05.08.2023). The Revenue Department’s communication (Rev-LT/43/2023(728643) dated 06.09.2023) to the Deputy Commissioner Budgam clearly outlined the necessity of transferring the land for the use of District Judiciary.
Despite these clear directives, the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam has played a negative role by clandestinely processing documents for the transfer of land in favor of the Maharashtra State. This deliberate obstruction of the judicial infrastructure project, by the District Administration Budgam coupled with the misleading of higher authorities, is deeply concerning and disappointing. “There were so many far better and suitable options available for the construction of Maharashtra Bhavan as the requirement of land was only 20 kanals. The District Administration Budgam had played mischief by not only suppressing the official documents for transfer of the land in favor of the Judicary but also downplayed the importance of this critical project by sitting over the file for last six months in utter disregard of official communications of higher authorities and of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh,” the Bar said.
The Bar Association of Budgam has urged the authorities to reconsider this decision and allocate the land as originally intended for the New District Court Complex. Any further delay or deviation from this course of action would only undermine the judiciary’s vital role in dispensing justice and upholding the rule of law, the Bar added.
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