Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 5: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today issued a notice to Deputy Commissioner Kathua seeking a personal response over the alleged illegal demolition of a pucca residential house in village Chak Dhrab Khan on July 24.
The order was passed by Justice Rahul Bharti on a writ petition filed by Paramjeet Kumar, who has accused the district administration of razing his home – complete with electricity connection – without prior notice or due process.
Appearing for the petitioner, Advocates Gagan Kohli and Manik Bhardwaj submitted photographs and a video clip showing Government machinery and some personnel escorting the family out before the structure was bulldozed.
Taking note of the serious nature of the allegations, Justice Rahul Bharti directed that the Deputy Commissioner must defend himself in his personal capacity, and not through the UT’s panel counsel. “He has been named for alleged acts exceeding his authority,” the court noted.
The court also directed SSP Kathua to file an affidavit clarifying under what requisition the police force was deployed during the demolition. Meanwhile, the SHO Kathua has been ordered to ensure that no debris is removed from the site until further orders.
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