By IANS
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed the Centre to remove illegal constructions in the bungalows allotted to bureaucrats and politicians, including 55 MPs, in Lutyen’s Delhi.
In a report submitted to a division bench headed by Chief Justice M.K. Sharma, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) said illegal constructions were carried out in the bungalows of many politicians, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani, former Congress leader Natwar Singh, and Samajwadi Party’s Amar Singh.
Despite repeated notices, the leaders have not demolished the unauthorised portions, the government lawyer said. The court pulled up the government for showing leniency towards politicians and bureaucrats while it had pulled down several private houses and buildings.
“It is good that unauthorised constructions in private houses are demolished, the authorities should show the same intention in the case of these official bungalows occupied by political leaders,” the court observed.
The court has been issuing instructions to authorities in the urban development ministry for the past three years for removing illegal constructions.
“Either you (the Centre) do it yourself or we will see to it that the law is enforced,” the chief justice had earlier said. “You may be a member of parliament or a minister but you cannot break the law. Even I can’t do it,” he had said.
Amicus Curiae Rekha Pallai pointed out that of 514 bungalows surveyed by CPWD, 231 were found to have illegal additions/alterations. There are still 55 houses where unauthorised constructions have not been removed.
Taking suo motu cognisance of news reports on illegal constructions in the Lutyens’ Zone, the court had in September 2006 issued notices to CPWD over the matter.