HC stays construction on Shamilat land

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 7:  High Court today stayed the construction of a school on Shamilat land which was transferred by the Government a year ago to a charitable trust.
The Government vide order No: Rev/S/133/2011 dated 13.12.12 had transferred 30 Kanals and 5 marlas of land at village Gigoo in Budgam district to a charitable trust for construction of a Higher Secondary School and Welfare College.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magray issued notice to respondent department and stayed the Government order No: Rev/S/133/2011 dated 13.12.12 till next date.
The bench referred to a Supreme Court judgment in which the court had directed all the Chief Secretaries of the states to protect the kacharai land.
The counsel for petitioners submitted before the court that in terms of the provision of law governing the subject as also basis of the judgment of Supreme Court, the respondent state cannot utilize the land for purpose other than the one for which land has been earmarked.
The writ petition was filed by villagers of Gigoo.