Lokayukta asks civic agencies to act fast, clear encroachment

Delhi Lokayukta Justice (retd) Manmohan Sarin on Wednesday demanded a clear cut plan of action from DDA and MCD for removing encroachment carried out on DDA land by media house Punjab Kesri in collusion with some powerful state politicians and bureaucrats.

He also sought to determine jurisdiction between the two agencies as there is some conflict between them over the land issue.

The lokayukta directed the director (land) Delhi Development Authority and deputy commissioner (Civil Lines Zone) MCD to file affidavit on plan of action, failing which they will have to be personally present before the court on the next date of hearing.

“I consider it necessary in this case, to prevent further loss of time in determining jurisdiction between DDA and MCD. Director (land) DDA and deputy commissioner (Civil Lines zone), MCD shall both, by or before the next date, file their affidavits clearly stating their action plan and time frame for removal of encroachments with specific dates,” said Sarin.

“In case the affidavits are not filed, they shall both be personally present on the next date of hearing,” he added.

Sarin said the feeling among the general public that those who wield influence or are in the position of power were beyond law needs to be dispelled.

One Rajesh Garg had complained that “M/s Punjab Kesri, has been able to delay and dither the demolition action even when the encroachments and unauthorised constructions are writ large”.

The unauthorised construction in the form of canteen and printing press on the encroached land of approximately 2,200 square metres is stated by the DDA in its status report filed before the Lokayukta’s office.

However, according to Garg, the media house with the help of friends in influential positions like “PWD minister Raj Kumar Chauhan and former municipal councillor Vijender Gupta”, has been able to avoid the demolition till date.

The two agencies — DDA and MCD — passed the buck to each other on the question of demolition of the illegal construction.

However, Sarin has now demanded clear cut action plan from them to demolish the encroachment which took place on the government land near their office in Wazirabad.