Notice served on CITU leader for interfering with HC order

Vijay Arora

Shimla, December 10

Taking a serious note on the issue of creating hindrances in the implementation of the order passed by the court, the HP High Court has issued show cause notice to CPM leader Vijender Mehra asking why he should not be prosecuted and punished for interfering with the orders of the court.

During the course of hearing, it was informed to the court that certain persons are unnecessarily and illegally trying to create hindrance in the implementation of the order passed by the court in connection with removing of unauthorised encroachments from the bazaars of Shimla Town. It was further informed that one such incident is reported on December 7 where one Vijender Mehra threatened to slap the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation and his officer.

Expressing concern on this, the court has restrained CPM-backed CITU leader, Vijender Mehra from participating in any type of dharna, strike or interfering with the functioning of the Municipal Corporation or causing obstruction in the compliance of the orders that have been passed by the court from time to time.

During the course of hearing, the counsel for the Municipal Corporation (MC) has informed that the MC has finalised the list of 168 of Teh Bazaris and verification qua the remaining 1,065 is yet to be finalised. On this the court clarified in its order that the list will be finalised after taking into consideration the orders passed by the court from time to time and the same will be finalised in the impartial way without being influenced by any consideration, political or otherwise.

While passing these directions, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan observed that “It appears that Municipal Corporation, Shimla has failed to finalise the list of Teh Bazaris.”

Jagdish Thakur, amicus curie (court friend) appointed by the court in this matter, placed on record the CD and his report. After perusing the same, Justice Chauhan observed that “it can be gathered that there is rampant encroachment on the public places and public streets in the town of Shimla. The shopkeepers have not desisted from raising over hangings projections, including collapsible tarpaulin, and have extended their shops over the municipal drain(s) by erecting movable counters. ”

The court further directed the MC, Shimla to remove/demolish/pull down all over hangings projections and movable counters and in case of second default the electricity and water connection of these defaulters would be disconnected which will only be restored after orders from this court.

The court passed this orders on a contempt petition alleging therein that the local authorities are not complying the orders of the court passed in public interest.

Courtesy: Tribune News Service