Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 14: High Court expressed displeasure and anger over the affidavit filed by Chief Executive Officer Gulmarg Development Authority Tufail Matoo regarding illegal construction of a hotel in Tangmarg and directed him to file his Action Taken Report.
The direction from Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice MH Attar came in an application where by it was informed that despite court directions illegal construction of Bakshi Hotel is going on in Tangmarg area of Baramulla district.
After perusal of affidavit filed by the CEO Gulmarg, court observed: “Affidavit filed by CEO (GDA) conceals more and reveals. We are surprised to the contents made in affidavit that the hotelier is taking advantage of night hours while undertaking construction. The affidavit does not go beyond this as if CEO was not required to take any step thereafter.”
For not implementing the court orders in letter and sprit, the Bench further observed: “Instead of implementing the directions of this court the CEO has taken upon himself the task of displaying ignorance.”
CEO in his affidavit has stated that the photographs showing illegal construction of the hotel did not guide him the proper location and identification of the building and he has requested the complainant/applicant for original photographs.
“We are unable to appreciate the stance taken by CEO. The area of Tangmarg is not such a huge where the identification of upcoming building could not be established and the khilafwarzi officer deputed there is under legal obligation to report any illegal construction. We fail to understand that the authorities have not been able to find out such construction”, observed the Bench.
Counsel for complainant, Advocate Tawheed Ahmad, stated that he is receiving threat calls from unidentified elements. The court asked Advocate General M I Qadri as well as GDA counsel to ensure that full protection is provided to him.
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