Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, April 3: Despite a clear order of the Jharkhand High Court, the house of Shyam Sundar Agarwal in Mango Gunamoy Colony was demolished on Monday, April 1. It was alleged that the demolition was effected by officials and staff of the Mango Municipal Corporation (MMC) in collusion with the Circle Officer (CO) Mango, without proper measurement of the disputed land.
Shyam Sundar Agarwal, son of the late President of Purvi Singhbhum Zila Marwari Sammelan (PSZMS), had filed a case (WP(C) No. 717 of 2019) in the High Court with a complaint of harassment from the Circle Officer’s office. The Court, in its order dated February 26, 2024, mandated that the land be measured before any demolition; yet the protocol was ignored.
Mukesh Mittal, the President of PSZMS wrote to the District Deputy Commissioner on April 3, demanding action against the erring officers and employees. Mittal, in his letter, mentioned that Shyam Sundar Agarwal had duly purchased the land and maintained its ownership. The High Court’s order stipulated that if the house was built within the allocated land, it should not be demolished. However, the demolition occurred without adherence to this legal requirement.
Mukesh Mittal urged for a high-level inquiry into the incident and sought compensation for Shyam Sundar Agarwal.
The negligence displayed by the authorities in carrying out the demolition evoked widespread condemnation, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to the rule of law.