Jammu: In a PIL seeking eviction of Ex-Ministers/Ex-legislators from Ministerial Bungalows/Govt. accommodations, a Division Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh at Jammu comprising its Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajesh Sekhri, while expressing its deep anguish over the lackadaisical approach of the Estates Department in not evicting the overstaying Ex-Legislators / Ex-Ministers has again issued directions to J&K government to file updated Status Report with respect to the occupants Kavinder Gupta, Sat Sharma, Surinder Ambardar and Zaffar Iqbal Manhas and also the eviction process and payment of penal rent of five persons namely SS Channi, Mohd Abbas Wani, Abdul Rahim Rather, Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari an Vibodh and the Division Bench further directed that in case the said updated status report is not filed, the Commissioner Incharge Estates Department shall remain present in the Court on the next date of hearing.
The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan, after hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Supriya Chouhan and Mohd. Zulkarnain Choudhary, appearing for the petitioner, while expressing displeasure over the soft approach of Estates Department, further observed and directed that , “it is made clear that no exemption or excuse shall be entertained by this Court”.
The Division Bench further observed that as per the status report, the designated committee has recommended continuation of allotment in respect of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ravinder Raina- and vacation of accommodation of rest of the unauthorized occupants after the completion of election process. After the elections, seven persons have been elected as MLAs and their fresh allotment is stated to be under consideration of the competent authority and matter with respect to four others is also under examination.JNF
