Ex-Dy CM’s controversial bungalow at Ban
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 18: The J&K Special Tribunal has further extended the stay on demolition of palatial bungalow of Ex-Deputy CM Dr Nirmal Singh and his wife Mamta Singh at Ban (Nagrota), till next date of hearing i.e. February 25.
The matter came up for hearing on February 17 before the Bench headed by Rajesh Sekhri, Member (J). Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah on whose RTI exposure the JDA had issued Demolition Notice to Dr Nirmal Singh and his wife Mamta Singh for raising the alleged unauthorized construction of a residential house at village Ban (Nagrota), Jammu, appearing in-person submitted his arguments before the Bench and demonstrated why his assistance would be necessary for a proper adjudication in the matter.
The heated arguments were exchanged between whistle blower Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah and Mamta Singh’s Counsel Advocate Jugal Kishore Gupta before Member (Judicial) Rajesh Sekhri of the J&K Special Tribunal, Jammu, in the ‘application for impleadment’ moved by Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah.
Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah submitted that it was on his RTI exposure and subsequent application, the JDA was forced to take action in the matter. He vociferously argued that the Appellant Mamta Singh has flouted the law of the land with impunity because the husband of the appellant was holding a high level Public Office of Deputy Chief Minister of J&K and being a Deputy CM he was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the JDA and for this reason the JDA was reluctant to take any action against the high profile violators.
Advocate Shah said all this all happened because of the collusion of the JDA with the alleged violator and finally, Advocate Shah prayed that under these peculiar circumstances, it will serve the ends of justice in case he is impleaded as a party respondent in the case as JDA is hell bent to shield the VVIP violator.
Advocate Jugal Kishore Gupta along with Advocate Rahul Sadotra appearing for the appellant Mamta Singh in response submitted that the appellant is not claiming any relief against the applicant seeking impleadment and that none of the rights of the applicant will be violated in case he is not made party to the proceedings.
The Law Officer of the JDA was also present in the case and informed the Bench that the Counsel appearing for the JDA, Advocate Adarsh Sharma is occupied before the Division Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Jammu and sought time on his behalf to advance the Arguments in the matter.
After hearing the arguments of both the sides and considering the rival contentions of the parties, the J&K Special Tribunal directed the registry to list the matter on February 25th, 2022 for hearing the arguments of the JDA’s Counsel in the Impleadment Application. The court further extended the stay on Demolition till next date of hearing.
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