Encroachment: Court sends contempt notices to civic bodies, traffic police

The Delhi High Court has threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against Delhi Traffic Police and civic agencies for failing to take to action against car shops and automobile workshops on both sides of the Defence Colony flyover in south Delhi.

The Delhi High Court has threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against Delhi Traffic Police and civic agencies for failing to take to action against car shops and automobile workshops on both sides of the Defence Colony flyover in south Delhi.

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The court on Friday expressed anger as the authorities have not taken any action against dealers and workshops encroaching on public space, footpaths and roads, by parking their vehicles and causing traffic congestion despite repeated court orders for the past six years to remove them.

The violations were brought to the attention of the court by RK Saini, lawyer for the Flyover Complex Welfare Association, who is representing the shopkeepers of the markets around the flyover.

“Issue show-cause notices to all respondents as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them,” ruled justice GS Sistani while issuing contempt notices to the Delhi government, MCD, DDA, police commissioner, traffic police and SHO of Defence Colony.

The authorities have been asked to explain within two weeks what action has been taken so far against the workshops and dealers besides officials of the civic authorities for flouting court directions.

They will also have to submit a list of shop licences that need to be cancelled.

“Despite repeated directions since 2004, the MCD, DDA and Delhi Police have turned a blind eye and allowed trade to continue. It cannot be without clear connivance. People driving to Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony and Jangpura face huge problems and traffic flow is in a mess due to the encroachment of the foot path and roads by the second hand cars on sale or those waiting to be repaired by the workshops," Saini said in court.