PIL on illegal occupation of Govt bungalows
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 2: Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and First Puisne Judge Justice Rajesh Bindal has directed the Registry to list all the writ petitions highlighting illegal/unauthorized occupation of ministerial bungalows /A-Type Kothies and other Government accommodations in Union Territory by the ex-Ministers/Legislators and other former dignitaries.
When the much publicized PIL came up for hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed appearing for the petitioner submitted that on July 8, 2020 the Estates Department was directed to file the status report within four weeks and additionally directions had been issued to the UT administration to place before the Division Bench the view taken on the representation dated May 30, 2020 before the next date of hearing.
He further submitted that the Estates Department has been taking the directions of the Division Bench casually as it did not file the status report and on October 7, 2020 the Division Bench on the request of Senior AAG Seema Shekhar further allowed four weeks time to do the needful positively.
Advocate Ahmed vehemently argued that the orders of the Division Bench have not been complied so far and he solicited orders for the personal appearance of the Administrative Secretary of Estates Department.
At this stage, AAG Aseem Sawhney appearing for Estates Department submitted that he has filed the status report dated October 2, 2020 and the same was not found on record. He further informed the Division Bench that similar matters covering the issue of unauthorized occupation of Government accommodation is the subject matter of PIL No.24/2020 and OWP No.1750/2015.
After considering the submissions of both the sides, Division Bench directed the Estates Department to ensure the compliance by filing the status report in terms of order dated July 8, 2020 and further directed that the instant PIL be consolidated/clubbed with PIL No.24/2020 and OWP No.1750/2015 so that the same are heard together.
Looking into the public interest involved, the Division Bench directed the Registry to list all these petitions together on December 5 for hearing.
Follow our WhatsApp channel