The Delhi High Court has enquired of the local authorities if the large Hanuman statue situated within in Delhi’s Karol Bagh area can be removed through airlifting to remove the encroachments and eliminate the traffic jams in the vicinity
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar made the suggestion regarding the 108-foot Hanuman statue while hearing a petition filed by an NGO seeking to remove unauthorized constructions in Karol Bagh as well as encroachments in the area.
Referring to instances in the United States where entire skyscrapers have been airlifted, the bench directed the authorities to speak to the Lieutenant Governor on whether it was possible in this case as well.
The court further noted that if the local administration could show that the law was being enforced in even one location, then the overall mindset of the people in the city would undergo a change. The bench also pointed out that sufficient opportunities had be provided to the municipal bodies to enforce the law but “but no one wants to do it”.
Court Directs An Inquiry To Gather Details On Those Responsible For Encroachments
The matter was presented before the bench as local authorities had sought changes in the police station that was to be responsible for implementing the order given by the court in November with respect to removal of the encroachments in the area.
In its order, the bench had asked the SHO of Karol Bagh police station, the chief engineer of the PWD as well as the central range DCP to carry out an inquiry to gather details regarding those responsible for erecting the idol of Hanuman, and also for constructing unauthorized floors in several buildings in the area.
The Court has also asked the authorities to provide details of the people who had funded the unauthorized buildings and those who were in control of the encroached areas.
In a previous hearing of the case, the High Court had asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to remove all instances of encroachments on the Southern Ridge and also to take action against the unauthorized developments. It was hearing a bunch of petitions filed against illegal developments. Earlier in the year in May, the High Court had set up a special committee examine the problem
Encroachments “Completely Impermissible”
Referring to the findings in the report filed by the committing, the bench noted that nearly 1,700 square yards of land located on the Southern Ridge, and owned by the DDA, was encroached upon.
Calling it “completely impermissible,” the bench also noted from the report that a 108-foot statue had been constructed near the Karol Bagh-Pusa Road junction and further several buildings had illegally constructed up to four floors in the area.
The bench has directed the DDA to submit a report within a week on the persons responsible for such illegal constructions.
