PIL highlighting illegal occupation of bungalows
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 8: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting illegal occupation of bungalows and other accommodations by former Ministers in both the capital cities, Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sanjay Dhar has directed the Government of Union Territory of J&K to file status report within a period of four weeks.
After hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed appearing in the PIL through video-conference, the Division Bench issued notices to the Secretary of Hospitality & Protocol; Estates and Civil Aviation Departments; Director Estates and Deputy Director Estates, Jammu which were accepted by AAG Aseem Sawhney.
The Division Bench also issued notice in the Miscellaneous Petition and further directed the AAG to apprise the court about the view taken by the Government in the instant matter.
When the PIL came up for hearing through video conference, Advocate S S Ahmed vehemently argued that despite the fall of BJP-PDP Government in June 2018, the erstwhile Ministers/Legislators did not vacate the Ministerial Bungalows/A-Type Kothis both at Jammu as well as at Srinagar and their illegal occupation continues till date.
He further submitted that the ex-Ministers/ex-MLAs lost their entitlement to remain in the Ministerial Bungalows/A-Type Kothis after they ceased to be public men but the Estates Department has failed to discharge its duties solely for the reason that the illegal occupants belong to a party which is in power in the Centre.
After considering the submissions of Advocate S S Ahmed, the Division Bench issued directions to the Government to file a status report within four weeks and further directed in the Miscellaneous Petition to apprise the court about the view taken in the instant matter.
The Division Bench further directed the Registry to re-notify the instant PIL on October 7, 2020. Amicus Curie Monika Kohli was also present at the time of hearing through video conference.
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