The Andhra Pradesh High Court came down heavily on the Machilipatnam Municipal Corporation (MMC) on Thursday for its failure to comply with judicial directives regarding the issuance of an occupancy certificate for a building linked to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Court Questions Repeated Notices
Expressing clear displeasure, the court questioned why the civic body had issued multiple notices to the party even after the High Court had given specific directions following an inspection. The bench, led by Justice N Harinath, pointedly asked the corporation to explain its actions, which appeared to disregard the court's earlier order.
"Officials Think They Are Above Courts"
In a stern observation, Justice Harinath remarked that the officials seemed to be operating under the assumption that they were above the courts. This strong comment underscored the court's frustration with the perceived defiance and procedural delays from the municipal authorities.
The court had previously directed the corporation to issue the occupancy certificate after the completion of a necessary inspection. However, instead of complying, the MMC continued to send notices to the YSRCP, prompting the party to approach the court again.
Commissioner Directed to File Affidavit
Taking serious note of the issuance of multiple notices post its order, the High Court has now directed the Municipal Commissioner to file a personal affidavit explaining the reasons behind this action. This step is often taken to ensure accountability at the highest level of the administration.
The court has scheduled the next hearing in this matter for February 9, when the commissioner's affidavit will be examined and further proceedings will take place.
This case highlights ongoing tensions between political entities and local governance bodies in Andhra Pradesh, with the judiciary stepping in to ensure that its directives are not ignored by civic officials.
