J&K HC objects ad against sealing of illegal constructions

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir High Court has taken objection to an advertisement published in a local daily that contained a veiled criticism of the court`s orders on sealing of illegal constructions in the city.

Terming the advertisement as "highly objectionable", a Division Bench of the court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice AM Magray asked the English daily not to publish anything that instigates public. The order was passed yesterday after a Public Interest Litigation against illegal structures drew attention of the court to the advertisement captioned "let the people know" published in the local daily on Thursday. "The notice appears to have been got published by three groups Kashmir Economic Alliance, Belli Bhavan Durganagh, Srinagar, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation Auqaf Building Budsha Chowk Srinagar and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association Nawai Subuh Complex Zero bridge Srinagar," the court said. In the PIL, the amicus curiae submitted that the contents of the notice are totally objectionable and tantamount to instigating the general public by giving wrong facts and figures. "We have gone through the publication and are convinced that the contents are not only objectionable but also reflect the tendency of the concerned to interfere with the court proceedings," the bench said. The court, however, said that if someone is interested in the matter, he is free to seek permission to intervene and place the relevant material before the court for its consideration. "For the present we do not wish to take any action on the objectionable material so published. However, in the future if such material is published, the learned counsel for the petitioner and the amicus would be under the duty to bring the same to the notice of the court where after necessary action as may be warranted under law would be taken," it added. The court last month had directed Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to seal 45 illegal commercial buildings in the city which had come up in violation of the Srinagar Master Plan. According to a report, more than 2,500 buildings in the city have come up in violation of the Master Plan which includes illegal conversion of residential premises into commercial outlets. Those affected by the sealing so far have alleged that SMC was sparing influential persons.