Mail News Service
Ranchi/Jamshedpur, April 30: In a pivotal legal battle concerning the rampant proliferation of illegal constructions in Jamshedpur, the Jharkhand High Court, led by Justices Rangan Mukhopadhyay and Deepak Roshan, took a firm stance in PIL 2078/2018. The courtroom, brimming with stakeholders and concerned citizens, became the arena for a profound interrogation of the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee’s (JNAC) practices and the very fabric of governance in the city.
As the proceedings commenced, the High Court wasted no time in scrutinizing the advocate representing the JNAC, demanding answers to probing inquiries regarding the rule of law within Jamshedpur’s confines. The courtroom atmosphere crackled with tension as the advocate faced a barrage of questions, chiefly concerning the extent of actions taken against illegal constructions thus far.
Despite the JNAC advocate’s assertions of having addressed 62 buildings in accordance with regulations, the petitioner’s counsel swiftly countered, alleging a glaring lack of substantive remedial measures. Parking facilities remained unreinstated, building layouts stood unaltered, and crucially, no compelling evidence of corrective actions emerged.
The courtroom dynamic shifted as the defendant’s advocate faltered to provide tangible proof in the form of photographic evidence, prompting the court to pivot its attention to the petitioner’s side. Here, the focus expanded beyond the immediate legal dispute to question the very legitimacy of Jamshedpur’s administrative structure.
In a meticulously constructed argument, the petitioner’s counsel traced the historical roots of the JNAC, painting a picture of an entity born under colonial rule and subsequently entwined with corporate interests. This narrative painted a damning picture of governance in Jamshedpur, suggesting a pattern of complicity in facilitating unauthorized constructions.
The courtroom fell silent as extensive lists, obtained through the tenacious pursuit of information under the Right to Information Act, were laid bare before the justices. The gravity of the situation became palpable, prompting the High Court to issue a summons for the Deputy Municipal Commissioner, mandating their physical presence at the next hearing.
Expressing profound concern over systemic failures, the court issued a stern warning against attempts to obfuscate or mislead, reaffirming its commitment to holding officials accountable. The staggering revelation of 1257 illegal constructions underscored the urgent need for decisive action, indicating a systemic breakdown in governance and potential collusion between various actors.
With the next hearing scheduled for May 6, the High Court set the stage for a comprehensive examination of the Special Officer of the JNAC. Their presence was mandated to provide clarity on the approval processes for building maps and to justify the apparent lapse in curbing unlawful constructions.
Despite assurances from the JNAC’s advocates, doubts lingered, fueled by past instances of unauthorized building unsealing. The High Court’s directive to provide a list of 20 buildings with significant deviations further underscored its unwavering commitment to restoring legality and accountability in Jamshedpur’s urban landscape. (w/nkm)
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