Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 7: In the much publicized writ petition filed by social activist Prof S K Bhalla alleging construction of a palatial house by the former Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla on State land, High Court today directed SSP VOJ to file a fresh status report within two weeks on the points indicated in order.
When this petition came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina and Suraj Singh appearing for the petitioner invited the attention of the court to the status report filed by SVO on September, 4, 2015 wherein it was mentioned that Raman Bhalla has constructed his residential house on land bearing Khasra Nos.778, 779 and 781 (State land) measuring 3 kanals and 14 marlas as revealed by demarcation report collected from the office of Tehsildar Jammu (South).
As per status report, land measuring 1 kanal and 10 marlas bearing Khasra No.778 and 779 has been purchased by Raman Bhalla from Raj Kumar and Rakesh Kumar, residents of Mohalla Partapgarh Jammu, land measuring 1 kanal and 15 marlas bearing Khasra No.779 has been gifted to Indira Bhalla, wife of Raman Bhalla by her mother Usha Puri whereas land measuring 10 marlas under Khasra No.781 has been found in possession of Raman Bhalla, which is the State land but it has not been ascertained whether the same belongs to JDA and whether Raman Bhalla is the legal occupant of the land.
According to the status report, ownership rights have reportedly been conferred on Usha Puri, mother-in-law of Raman Bhalla in respect of land measuring 1 kanal and 15 marlas falling under Khasra No.779 which has been gifted to wife of Raman Bhalla. Moreover, the mode of acquisition of land by Usha Puri is a subject of investigation in respect whereof Settlement Officer, Jammu has been approached for providing requisite information.
Advocate Ahmed also invited the attention of the court towards the status report, which itself reveals that the building permission granted in favour of Raman Bhalla has been violated by him by raising construction far in excess of the permitted space, both on ground floor as well as on first floor.
During the course of arguments, Advocate Ahmed submitted that appropriate directions are required to be issued to the Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Settlement Officer Jammu and JMC, Jammu to render all possible assistance to the SVO towards the completion of the probe as the enquiry is already delayed in view of the mandate of law laid down by the Apex Court in its judgment in case titled State of UP V/s Lalita Kumari wherein a Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court held that a preliminary enquiry in a corruption case should not exceed seven days.
On the other hand AAG P C Sharma appearing for SVO, AAG Ehsan Mirza appearing for Revenue Department and Advocate Ahtsham Bhat appearing for GAD submitted that the needful shall be done without any further delay and sought four weeks time to come up with the latest position of the case.
After considering the submissions of both the sides, Justice Bansi Lal Bhat observed, “since investigation into vital aspects of the matter is inconclusive and evaluation of residential building is still under way, it would be appropriate to direct SSP VOJ to submit fresh status report on the indicated points within two weeks”.
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