The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday issued contempt notices to the president and executive officer of the Fazilka municipal committee on a petition filed by former Rajya Sabha member Varinder Kataria.
On April 9, the HC had directed president of the Fazilka municipal committee Rakesh Dhuria and executive officer Gurdev Singh not to demolish Ram Palace, a community centre, on a petition filed by Kataria.
However, on Monday, the HC was told that the officials in frustration and in order to defeat the status quo order, deputed sub-divisional officer (SDO) along with workforce and demolished the community centre on April 9 evening. The demolition was carried out by the authorities despite being informed through e-mail. The officials left the venue only after they were told through SMSes by Kataria’s counsel HC Arora, the court was told.
The petitioner, during the hearing on Monday, produced the photographs of the demolition process and also brought to the notice of the HC that the respondent officials had started a construction activity within area of the community centre.
The division bench of justices SK Mittal and HS Sidhu directed the officials not to carry out any construction activity at the site and issued notices for May 14 as to why contempt of court proceedings be not initiated against them.
{{/usCountry}}The division bench of justices SK Mittal and HS Sidhu directed the officials not to carry out any construction activity at the site and issued notices for May 14 as to why contempt of court proceedings be not initiated against them.
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