Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, June 17: The residential structures that were being used for the commercial activities in the restricted area were today sealed by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) after the concerned parties were called in to present their arguments.
In this regard, re-sealing order and rest of the directions were issued by the Commissioner, SMC Amir Athar after the concerned parties were called in as per the High Court directives, which had asked the SMC to give a personal hearing to the petitioners after they filed a writ petition in the court.
It is to be noted here that the SMC had earlier as well sealed the structures operating in violation of the norms in the Suthra Shahi area of Karan Nagar.
Following the sealing, the ‘violators’ had moved the court which had directed for de-sealing of the premises and hearing out the side of the concerned parties in question and then passing the fresh orders.
In that connection, the owners of the residential structures being used for commercial purposes were called in by the Corporation where they presented their arguments. The owners – Shabir Ahmad Sheikh, Nazir Ahmad Dhar, Umar Imtiyaz Bhat and Masrat Fayaz presented their side of the story.
Commissioner, SMC Amir Athar told Excelsior that concerned parties were given a personal hearing, “their arguments were heard and deliberated upon and then the order was passed.”
The Commissioner SMC passed the sealing order to the extent of the residential house of Umar Imtiyaz is hereby withdrawn and as such the residential house of the petitioner is de-sealed.
The directions were passed after the petitioner informed the Corporation that he has already shifted his commercial establishment from the residential house in question and has also submitted an undertaking in this regard.
“However, in case the Corporation finds that the petitioner has again started any commercial activity in his residential house, the same shall be re-sealed without any further notice,” the Commissioner ordered.
Another petitioner, Masrat Fayaz has been granted three days time to file an undertaking that he shall vacate all commercial acidities being carried out in his residential house within 15 days from the date of issuance of this order.
The directions have been passed after he informed the Corporation that he is already in a process of winding up the commercial activities from his residential house in question.
“However, in case, after the expiry of the stipulated period of 15 days, it is observed by the Corporation that commercial activities are still being carried out by the petitioner in his residential house, the same shall be re-sealed immediately without any notice,” the Commissioner ordered.
However, a portion of a residential house being operated for the commercial activities by Shabir Ahmad Sheikh and Nazir Ahmad Dhar were ordered to be re-sealed after the Corporation rejected the arguments put forth by them.
However, it said, in case it is found that the residential portion of the house is being used for commercial purposes, “the whole structure shall be sealed without any further notice,” the order reads.
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