The Rajasthan High Court has restrained authorities from taking coercive action against a residential property in Bharatpur allegedly targeted during a road-widening drive without due process.
Court Order and Notices
A single-judge bench of Justice Anuroop Singhi passed the order on April 23, a copy of which was uploaded Monday. The court issued notices to the state government through the principal secretary, urban development and housing, the Bharatpur district collector, Bharatpur Development Authority, commissioner of Nagar Nigam Bharatpur, and the executive engineer of the Public Works Department, seeking replies within six weeks.
Petitioner's Allegations
The writ petition was filed by Dhirendra Singh, who alleged that officials arbitrarily demolished the boundary wall of his house in Subhash Nagar, Phase-II, Bharatpur, and threatened to demolish a substantial portion of the residential structure in the name of road widening.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Kawal Singh Loha argued that the action was illegal and a violation of due process. He said the property was backed by a valid patta dated May 6, 2013, issued in the name of the petitioner's mother and later transferred to the petitioner through a Nagar Nigam order dated Nov 11, 2021. Loha told the court that no proper notice was served before the demolition action began, making it arbitrary and coercive.
Interim Protection Granted
Taking note of the submissions, the court directed that notices be served through registered post as well as 'dasti' mode (by hand) and granted interim protection, restraining the authorities from taking any further action against the property till the next date of hearing.
