HC upholds fine on buffalo bluff

Mod Jabir Hussain became poorer by Rs one lakh. His fault?

Mod Jabir Hussain became poorer by Rs one lakh. His fault?

HT Image

He lied to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi that he had 30 buffalos to stake claim to five plots at the Ghogha diary in Northwest Delhi.

The Delhi High Court ruled the civic agency was perfectly justified in charging Rs 20,000 per plot from such applicants towards financial expenditure incurred to examine the claim by sending committee members for verification as well as punitive damages.

To deal with the stray cattle menace in the city, the MCD, on the orders of the court, had developed the dairy in Narela on 180 acres of land as part of a re-settlement scheme for those running illegal diaries in urban areas.

Nearly 4,000 plots are up for grabs through draw of lots.

A 60 sq metre plot was allotted for people who own five bovines and 96 sq mts for those who own eight.

On verification of Hussain’s premises, the MCD officials found his claim of running an illegal diary with 30 buffaloes was false.