Demolition drive just a farce: Court

Calling MCD’s anti-encroachment drive a sham, the Delhi High Court has accused the civic agency of doing nothing and filing false compliance reports in the court, reports Harish V Nair.

Calling MCD’s anti-encroachment drive a sham, the Delhi High Court has accused the civic agency of doing nothing and filing false compliance reports in the court.

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“In the name of action, a small portion of the unauthorised construction is damaged leaving it to the party to repair it and a report is submitted to the court by the MCD that action is taken. The damaged portion is later on conveniently repaired by the persons who put unauthorised construction and everybody enjoys the fruits of unauthorised construction”, said Justice S.N. Dhingra.

The court made these observations while issuing a bailable warrant and contempt notices against Executive Engineer (Maintenance) A.K. Mittal and Executive Engineer (Building) Babu Ram for allegedly making such a false representation regarding removal of an encroachment in Gandhinagar in East Delhi.

“Bailable warrants are being issued to ensure their presence in court to showcause as to why they should not be punished for contempt as it has become a practice with the MCD to make false representations to the court of taking action against unauthorized construction”, said the court.

The officials have been directed to appear in the court on February 10.