Palatial Bungalow of former Dy-CM at Nagrota
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a significant development, the Member (Judicial) Rajesh Sekhri of J&K Special Tribunal Jammu has reserved the application of whistleblower Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah for orders wherein he has sought his impleadment as Party Respondent in appeal filed by Mamta Singh, wife of Dr Nirmal Singh, ex-Dy CM against an order of demolition issued by JDA for raising a palatial house at village Ban (Panjgrain), Jammu allegedly without seeking any building permission from JDA, after arguments were completed by all parties.
When matter came up for hearing on March 22, 2022 before the Bench led by Rajesh Sekhri, Member(J), Advocate Adarsh Sharma appearing for JDA advanced his arguments wherein he also opposed impleadment of whistleblower Adv Muzzaffar Ali Shah in the appeal filed by Mamta Singh against order of demolition passed by JDA. Adv R K Gupta appearing for appellant Mamta Singh had advanced his arguments earlier when whistleblower Adv Muzzaffar Ali Shah submitted his arguments on February 17, 2022 and matter was fixed for hearing arguments of Counsel for JDA.
After considering submissions of rival parties and keeping in view the urgency and public interest involved in matter, J&K Special Tribunal has reserved application for impleadment for passing orders and has further directed the registry to list matter on April 6, 2022. The court has further extended the stay on demolition till next date of hearing.
It may be recalled that JDA on November 8, 2021 issued final demolition notice under section 7(3) of Building Control Operations Act 1988 directing Dr Nirmal Singh and his wife Mamta Singh to demolish alleged illegal/ unauthorised construction raised at village Ban (Panjgrain), Nagrota on their own within a period of five days failing which JDA’s Enforcement Wing would carry on demolition of alleged illegal construction. However, Mamta Singh filed an appeal against aforesaid order and obtained interim relief from J&K Special Tribunal Jammu whereby demolition had been stayed. JDA has already filed detailed reply to the appeal as well as application for stay wherein JDA has branded construction as a ‘Major Violation’ as Dr Nirmal Singh and his wife Mamta Singh did not obtain building permission from JDA despite fact that area was under purview of JDA. It may be recalled here that JDA issued Demolition Order only after the matter came in public domain through an RTI information obtained by Adv Muzzaffar Ali Shah.