Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 21: The State High Court has impleaded Cabinet Minister Imran Raza Ansari and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) MLC Ajat Shatru Singh, as party in Dal lake conservation case over illegal constructions.
While Singh has been asked to file response for raising structures in prohibited areas near Gupkar here on the bank of Dal lake, Ansari has to file response for threatening the LAWDA’s Enforcement Officer and abusing him over action against violators of court orders at Lashkari Mohalla, Habak in the outskirts of Srinagar.
A division bench of High Court comprising Justice M H Attar and A M Magrey passed the direction after court-appointed Vigilance Commissioners stated in their report that within the prohibited area of the Dal lake, MLC Ajat Shatru Singh is carrying on construction activity in the Gupkar area.
“The Enforcement Officer of the LAWDA took note of the violation and sent a letter in this behalf to the Secretary, LAWDA for information for appropriate action because the security guards stationed at the entrance of the area did not permit them to enter the area”, the Commissioners said.
The court impleaded Ajat Shatru Singh as a party respondent and directed him to file response by or before next date of hearing on September 5.
“In the meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir are directed to forthwith stop the constructions whatever is being carried out in violation of Court orders by Ajat Shatru Singh. Any construction already raised shall be sealed alongwith the ongoing construction and shall remain on Superdari of Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar,” the court said and directed them to file a compliance report before Registry within four days.
The Court Commissioners had also enclosed with their report a communication which was send by Enforcement Officer (DySP) to Vice Chairman LAWDA on August 4.
Through the communication, Vice Chairman LAWDA was informed by the officer that on August 2, a meeting was conveyed in police control room Srinagar and decision was taken for initiation of demolition drive at Habak on the foreshore road.
It was also informed that the LAWDA team consisting its Secretary, Collector, Enforcement Officer, and one Abdul Ahad Raina, Magistrate had to demolish the illegal constructions or structures there.
“The demolition team was assisted by SSP Srinagar and SP Hazratbal etc and when the team reached Lashkari Mohalla to demolish the illegal constructed structures belonging to one Pervaiz Ahmad Joo (Matta) against whom FIR is already registered at Police Station Nishat, it was attacked by the mob”, the officer said, adding that the team assisted by the police used mild lathicharge and tear smoke shells to disperse the mob.
The officer said that at 9.39 pm, he received a phone call and the caller identified himself as Imran Ansari and asked him how he and his team demolished the illegally constructed structures at Lashkari Mohalla. The commission said that he also used unparliamentarily language and threatened to kill him.
“In view of the circumstances, Imran Ansari is also pleaded as party respondent in this position,” the court said and asked him to file response by or before September 5.
The court also directed State Government not to transfer the Enforcement Officer-DySP Suhail Reshi from LAWDA till further orders from it. “He shall continue to perform his duties in LAWDA,” the court added.
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