Delhi High Court seeks report on illegal constructions in the vicinity of Qutub Minar

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought details from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi regarding illegal constructions in the vicinity of Qutub Minar in south Delhi (Shri Rinku Kaushik vs. The State)..Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva took strong objection to such illegal constructions despite the Court's previous orders against the same and directed the Municipal Commissioner (South Zone) to submit a report fixing responsibility on officers who allowed the illegal constructions to happen. The single-judge also ordered personal presence of the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (South Zone) for the next date of hearing.The Court was hearing a 2018 plea seeking action against unauthorised constructions and colonies that have come up on government land around Qutub Minar. .It was brought to the Court’s notice that builders, in connivance with the Police and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), completed construction and sold flats in multi-storey buildings which had been shown as sealed during construction stage after being booked as illegal..Further, the petition submitted that the officials of the SDMC were not taking any legal action against the builders under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, for no justifiable reason..“It is important to bring to the notice of the Court, the nexus between the builders, politicians, police officials, officials of the municipal corporation and other local bodies have resulted in huge building being constructed at a rapid phase and flats being sold despite the properties being booked by the SDMC as submitted to this Hon’ble Court on numerous occasions in the past,” stated the petition. .The matter will be heard further on 28 August..The Petitioners were represented by Advocate Prateek Kumar while Standing Counsel Kapil Dutta and Ajjay Aroraa appeared for State and SDMC..[Read Order]