Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Tibetan government-in-exile, the Centre and the state government regarding permission granted to Tibetan refugees for purchase of land in the state in alleged violation of HP Tenancy and Land reforms Act.
While issuing the notices, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice V.K. Abuja made it clear that all land transactions would be subject to a final outcome of the petition and it will be made clear in all proceedings.
The court passed the order on a petition challenging the action of the state authorities to grant permission to Tibetans for purchase of land in the state in alleged violation of Section 118 of the HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act.
In his petition, Pawan Kumar, a resident of Rewalsar in Mandi District, alleged Tibetan refugees in Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Kullu, Manali, Riwalsar, Shimla and Solan had purchased land in their names on the basis of false and forged documentations and become the owner of the land in their possession in connivance with the revenue agencies, which was not permissible under the Act.
The petitioner urged the court to set aside all such transactions and issue directions to the state government to instruct all District Collectors not to transfer any land by any means in the names of Tibtian refugees.
The petitioner also alleged that the Tibetan refugees in their offices of government-in-exile, monasteries and other institutions have hoisted the flag of Tibtian government-in- exile which was "unconstitutional" as only the national flag of India can be unfurled.
He urged the court that directions be issued to the Tibtian Government in Exile to remove all the flags of Tibtian Government from all the Monasteries and the offices of Central Tibtian Administration in Himachal Pradesh.
The petitioner further told the court that if any treaty existed between government of India and the Tibetan government-in-exile in this regard that be declared unconstitutional and void.
The court directed all the respondents, including Tibetan
government-in-exile to file their replies within two months.
PTI
