Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 6: The State High Court today constituted a Committee comprising Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, and directed them to visit the Gulmarg and seal the illegal constructions.
After receiving the record from trial Court, the Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice B S Walia directed: “At this stage, a committee of Deputy Commissioner Baramulla and Senior Superintendant of Police Baramulla is constituted. The constituted committee shall visit the Gulmarg within three days time from today. It shall ensure that no illegal constructional activities are carried at Gulmarg.”
Court also directed these authorities to seal the structure on the spot in case illegal construction is found to be going on and file the latest status report about the visit and any kind of illegal constructions by or before the next date fixed in the case which is in the week commencing from December 19.
It may be mentioned that Court has already made it clear that if any person violates the Court direction and continues with the constructional activities, then Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) shall seal such structures.
The GDA has already kept on hold the building or repair permissions passed in favour of various hoteliers after passing of stay order by the High Court on these permissions.
The GDA through its CEO has made a statement before the court that the position on spot is existing as it was on October 5 (before passing of stay order) and no construction material has been allowed towards the Ski resort.
Court has already directed Sub Divisional Magistrate and Sub Divisional Police Officer Gulmarg to extend all assistance to the CEO GDA for enforcing the law and implementing the court orders.
Court while hearing the PIL said that at number of times earlier in the instant PIL it has been recorded that Gulmarg is a world famous tourist destination and it is responsibility of everyone to protect and look-after its ecosystem and environment and observed “The laws have to be implemented without any discrepancy and breach”.
Court was hearing a PIL on saving of famous tourist resort Gulmarg from all encroachments which have taken place for the last more than two decades in and around it.
Earlier, High Court received the record of Gulmarg Land Scam case from the trial court. The record pertaining to the infamous Gulmarg Land Scam case was called from the Court of Special Anti-corruption Baramulla on previous date of hearing when Advocate General submitted that the case is pending before the Court of Sessions Judge Baramulla (Special Anti-corruption) in which Chief Secretary was directed what steps has been taken on vesting of ownership rights to persons in respect of properties situated at Gulmarg.
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