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HC directs DDA to bring plot meant for park to original use
New Delhi, Nov 23: In a significant judgement, the Delhi High Court has pulled up Delhi Development Authority for allowing a Gurudwara to be constructed on a land meant for the park and directed the authority to bring the land to its original use.
New Delhi, Nov 23: In a significant judgement, the Delhi High Court has pulled up Delhi Development Authority for allowing a Gurudwara to be constructed on a land meant for the park and directed the authority to bring the land to its original use.
A bench comprising Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice A
K Sikri directed DDA to explain in 15 days as to under what
circumstance it failed to use the plot for a park for the
residents of Saket in south Delhi.
Maintaining that it has dealt only with the use of land for purpose other than the permissible one, the bench said it was not expressing any opinion with regard to allotment since the petition for the same was pending but directed the vice chairman of DDA to hold an inquiry against the erring officers and submit a report within three months.
Perusing the submissions of the concerned parties, the bench said "it is clear there was encroachment on the land meant for park measuring 321.20 sq mts in H-block Saket and DDA subsequently with a view to oblige Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha issued a letter so as to offer the plot of land to it".
"It was fairly stated before the court on behalf of the DDA that plans have not been approved and the park is required to be maintained and therefore it is directed that the land shall be put to its original use, I.E. A park," the court said.
The verdict came on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by some residents of Saket alleging that DDA permitted the religious institution to make use of the 418 sq mts plot earmarked as a park unauthorisedly for monetary benefit in 1980s and sanctioned a plan for proposed Gurudwara.
Maintaining that it has dealt only with the use of land for purpose other than the permissible one, the bench said it was not expressing any opinion with regard to allotment since the petition for the same was pending but directed the vice chairman of DDA to hold an inquiry against the erring officers and submit a report within three months.
Perusing the submissions of the concerned parties, the bench said "it is clear there was encroachment on the land meant for park measuring 321.20 sq mts in H-block Saket and DDA subsequently with a view to oblige Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha issued a letter so as to offer the plot of land to it".
"It was fairly stated before the court on behalf of the DDA that plans have not been approved and the park is required to be maintained and therefore it is directed that the land shall be put to its original use, I.E. A park," the court said.
The verdict came on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by some residents of Saket alleging that DDA permitted the religious institution to make use of the 418 sq mts plot earmarked as a park unauthorisedly for monetary benefit in 1980s and sanctioned a plan for proposed Gurudwara.
Bureau Report