Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 10: In a petition highlighting establishment of huge educational complex on the forest land by the Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Abdul Ghani Kohli, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice B S Walia today issued notice to the Minister and directed the district administration for demarcation of the land within 10 days.
When this much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) came up for hearing, the petitioner Ankur Sharma appearing in person drew the attention of the Division Bench towards the detailed status report already filed by State Vigilance Organization wherein it has been disclosed that as per the records submitted by Divisional Forest Officer, Demarcation Division No.1 Jammu vide his letter No.238-40/DMR dated August, 7, 2015, Khasra No.356 comprising of Compartment Nos. 1, 3, 5 of Bahu Range as per record available is forest land.
“The status report further highlights that enquiry conducted so far has established that the institutions are being owned and managed by the family members of Abdul Gani Kohli and the building complex has been raised on Khasra No.356 of village Nowabad Sunjwan which as per the records is forest land”, the petitioner said.
He said that SVO took up the matter with Deputy Commissioner Jammu vide letter No.SSP/ 2015/HLP/ 3171/ VOJ dated July, 20, 2015 for the demarcation of land but the same has not been conducted till date.
After hearing petitioner in person, Division Bench directed Deputy Commissioner Jammu to render all possible assistance with a view to enable the Vigilance Organization to do the needful. The Division Bench looking into the importance of the issue directed that all proceedings with regard to the demarcation of the land shall be completed within 10 days from today.
The Division Bench also directed the Registry to issue notice to Abdul Gani Kohli.
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