New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) The Supreme Court has issued notice in contempt proceedings against the Vice-Chairman of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) over alleged non-compliance with its directions on illegal constructions and land-use violations, while taking serious note of the recent Lucknow tragedy in which 15 students lost their lives in a building being used for commercial activity.
A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan directed the LDA Vice-Chairman to remain personally present on the next date of hearing and show cause as to why appropriate orders should not be passed against him for non-compliance with the apex court’s earlier orders.
“This Court is constrained to issue notice in the contempt proceedings, as it is an admitted position that no effective action has been taken against those who have blatantly violated the sanctioned land use prescribed under the Master Plan,” the Justice Amanullah-led Bench said.
The apex court was informed by amicus curiae and senior advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha that the devastating blaze at a commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area claimed the lives of 15 students and left many others injured, following which the structure was demolished.
According to the amicus, a demolition order had originally been passed on May 10, 2016, but was recalled by the same authority on July 5, 2016, on a technical ground, after which no further action was taken until the fatal incident occurred.
Taking note of the submissions, the Justice Amanullah-led Bench said it had been informed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted and had submitted its report. “Let the report be produced before this Court in a sealed cover on the next date of hearing,” it ordered.
“The Vice-Chairman, Lucknow Development Authority, shall remain personally present on the next date of hearing to show cause as to why appropriate orders should not be passed against him for non-compliance with the orders of this Court,” the apex court added.
While directing the LDA Vice-Chairman to remain personally present at the next hearing, the Supreme Court dispensed with the personal appearance of the Lucknow Municipal Commissioner for the time being.
The top court also impleaded the Lucknow Development Authority through its Vice-Chairman as a party respondent after noting that, though it was not originally a party to the proceedings, it had filed an affidavit along with an application seeking impleadment. The proceedings arise from the Supreme Court’s continuing monitoring of illegal constructions and unauthorised land-use violations across the country.
Last month, the apex court had come down heavily on civic authorities over rampant illegal constructions and repeated non-compliance with its earlier directions, observing that if officials fail to act even after the top court’s orders, it raises serious concerns about the plight of ordinary citizens.
It had also flagged recent fire incidents and building collapses, including the one in Lucknow, warning that ineffective enforcement of building laws could have disastrous consequences and that officials entrusted with implementing its directions would be held personally accountable for any failure to act.
–IANS
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