SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has directed the Commissioner/Secretary of the Estates Department to appear in person at the next hearing scheduled following concerns over delays in evicting unauthorized occupants from government accommodations and the slow progress in addressing the issue.
The court’s division bench comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabastan and Justice MA Choudhary passed the order according to Srinagar based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Professor S.K. Bhalla, represented by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed and his legal team.
Senior Additional Advocate General (Sr. AAG), S.S. Nanda, submitted the latest status report on November 6, 2024, but the report was reportedly unavailable in the digital case file, prompting the court to request its placement on record.
In previous compliance reports, the Estates Department identified 33 political figures occupying government properties in Jammu and Srinagar. The court noted, however, that only a few have vacated despite the Estates Department’s repeated requests, raising concerns about ineffective action against these unauthorized occupants.
The High Court noted that several former ministers continue to occupy VIP accommodations, even though they no longer hold office.
The court has demanded answers on three critical points-Steps taken for the eviction of unauthorized occupants, the issuance of eviction notices and actions taken to remove those who remain in official accommodations without entitlement and reasons for not charging commercial rates for the period when occupants were no longer legally entitled to retain government properties.
The court expressed concern over the slow pace of the Estates Department’s actions since the case began in 2020, warning of further scrutiny should progress remain insufficient. The next hearing of the case is listed for December 12, 2024. (KDC)
