Nirmal’s wife, five others served contempt notices

TNN Bureau. Updated: 5/17/2018 10:50:01 AM Front Page

HC seeks compliance report from Div Com, DC, SSP, Com Rev

JAMMU: In a major setback to the Speaker Legislative Assembly Nirmal Singh who has been embroiled in controversies for constructing a house near Army establishment in Nagrota, the state High Court on Wednesday initiated contempt proceedings against his wife Mamta Singh-in whose name the house is, along with a number of high-level administrative officers including Shahid Anayat Ullah Commissioner Revenue, Hemant Sharma Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan DC Jammu, Vivek Gupta SSP Jammu, and SHO Nagrota for willfully violating its earlier order which had restrained the respondents from the construction at said site.

Army had moved the J&K High Court to stay construction of Assembly Speaker Nirmal Singh’s house near an ammunition depot at Nagrota. Singh who owns land spread near the ammunition sub depot at Ban village in Nagrota tehsil of Jammu district had started construction of his house in the name of his wife, inviting strong objections from General Officer Commanding of Jammu-based 16 Corps Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh, which were not paid heed to by the former, forcing the Army to take the matter to the court.

In its earlier decision of May 7, the court had directed the respondent not to go ahead with the construction following a petition filed by the Army raising objections.

Army in its petition had submitted to the court that the land in question was situated at the ‘prohibited distance of 530 metres from the premier boundary wall of 4 Ammunition Sub Depot (15 FAD)” at Ban Nagrota in Jammu.

However, the respondent, Mamta Singh, wife of the then Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh allegedly went ahead with the construction, defying the court’s directions.

Taking cognizance in regard to an application from Army seeking contempt proceedings against revenue and police officers after Mamta Singh for non –compliance of order regarding construction near Army AD, the court today issued fresh direction to the respondents.

After hearing Adv Ajay Sharma (Special Counsel appointed by Amry), Justice Janak Raj Kotwal issued notice to Hemant Sharma Divisional Commissioner, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan DC Jammu, Vikvek Gupta SSP Jammu for filling compliance report in regard to High Court Order on May 7, 2018.

In its order, the court had directed that till next date of hearing, the state authorities shall ensure notification No 2772/DCJ/LHS/GN-Ban/Army/1/2015-968/13 dated August 7, 2015 (whereby DC Ban on construction near Ammunition Depot) issued by DC Jammu is strictly implemented in accordance with law/rules and no un unlawful activity in the area permitted.

Nirmal Singh had recently stoked off another controversy asserting that Army harasses people.
His anti-army remarks were not taken very well by people across the political and business circles, besides the civil society at large.

Only yesterday, Chamber of Commerce and Industries(CCI), Jammu had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Singh for his alleged 'anti-Army' remarks.

“We feel anguished over the recent statement given by Dr Nirmal Singh, Speaker, J&K State Legislative Assembly accusing "Indian Army of harassing people", the CCI Jammu said in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister.

"The Chamber requests your good-selves to intervene in the matter and sack him immediately not only from holding this prestigious post but also from the party lines," said the CCI members.


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