SRINAGAR: In a recent ruling, the District Magistrate of Srinagar upheld an eviction notice of estates department issued against Junaid Azim Mattu, a former Mayor of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
The decision by court of District Magistrate Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi Ud Din Bhat, came in response to an appeal filed by Mattu against the notice.
The court found that Mattu had been occupying the government-allotted premises without proper authorization since April 2019.
“Despite being given multiple opportunities to vacate the accommodation, Mattu failed to provide any evidence of extended allotment or legitimate tenancy,” the court said in an order, a copy of which is in the possession of Kashmir Dot Com.
In its judgment, the court of District Magistrate stressed the importance of adhering to government regulations regarding the use of public property.
The court stated that public accommodations are meant for those who are entitled to them and cannot be occupied indefinitely by those who no longer meet the eligibility criteria.
“Henceforth, what has been discussed hereinabove, it is evident that the appellant has been provided the requisite/adequate time as per the mandate of law enshrined in sub-section 1 of section 4 of Act Supra. The appellant equally has failed to show any document or material on record establishing that he is the authorized occupant of the allotted premises or that he has approached the concerned authorities for an extension of time as prescribed under the Act,” reads the judgment of District Magistrate Srinagar.
“Thus, in my considered opinion, the appellant is declared to be an illegal/unauthorized occupant of the allotted premises and accordingly the instant appeal is dismissed as being devoid of merit. The respondents are at liberty to take appropriate steps/recourse under the law for the eviction of the illegal/unauthorized occupant,” reads the judgment.
Pertinently, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh Monday disposed of a plea by Mattu seeking to quash the eviction orders. The court directed the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, to hear both parties and decide the appeal by September 11, 2024. (KDC)
