Mail News Service
Ranchi, May 6: In a significant development, the Jharkhand High Court, presided over by Justice Rangan Mukhopadhyay and Justice Deepak Roshan, has ordered a thorough investigation into 1257 illegal constructions in Jamshedpur. The directive came during the hearing of Public Interest Litigation 2078/2018.
The court raised concerns over the scale of deviation from the Jamshedpur NAC and questioned the Special Officer of Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee about the department’s inaction regarding the issue. Responding to the court’s queries, the Commissioner mentioned that 46 buildings had been identified for deviation, with basement parking in 31 of them already vacated.
However, the court expressed skepticism over the Commissioner’s assertion that the 2011 list of deviations was final, especially considering the petitioner’s claim of 1257 illegal constructions. The petitioner’s advocate presented evidence, including documents obtained through Right to Information, revealing that the JNAC had issued show cause notices to 535 illegal constructions by August 2017.
The court, alarmed by the magnitude of the issue, instructed the Special Officer to conduct a detailed investigation into all buildings deviating from the map. It emphasized the need for swift action and improvements, warning against mere issuance of notices without tangible steps.
Moreover, the court emphasized transparency and urged the parties involved to report any unethical interference during the proceedings. The petitioner’s advocate highlighted the need for a comprehensive solution to address the root causes of deviation, prompting the court to request a separate affidavit.
The proceedings are set to continue on June 27, with the court assuring appropriate instructions following further hearings. This development underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding public interest and ensuring accountability in urban development matters.
Dhatkidih in Jamshedpur has highest number of buildings deviating from the map.