Coming down heavily on unauthorized construction in South Delhi, a two-judge division bench of the High Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry in this matter. "We direct the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry in this. In particular, the role of the police officials, the builders, MCD officials and may include the petitioners against whom there are allegations of blackmail."
The HC has ordered various officials of the concerned zones to fully cooperate with the investigating agency. These officials include Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Sub-registrar, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Delhi Jal Board, BSES, Deputy Commission of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation among others.
Noting that there has been rampant unauthorised corruption, Justice B D Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva chastised officials for allowing the situation to happen and spiral out of control. "Eyes were shut by the corporations for whatever reason and entire Delhi has been encroached upon." They went on to add that "Air pollution, which has been a serious concern for the city off late has been directly affected due to this illegal construction."
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenged the illegal construction of buildings on government land in four areas in South Delhi namely Neb Sarai, Paryavaran Complex, Said ul-Ajaib and Freedom Fighter's Colony. The PIL also alleged that corporation officials had filed "false affidavits" of the buildings being demolished.
"There has been apparent connivance in this corruption that include police officials as well," the justices noted. The court questioned the advocate representing the builder lobby and rhetorically asked "What is your authority to build? Have you submitted any sanction plans for the construction?" to which the counsel had no answer.
The CBI has been directed to file the initial status report to the court in a sealed cover by April 6.
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