Minister accused of threatening officer, HC seeks response

A minister has been served a notice by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court after a government officer alleged that he had been threatened over demolition of illegal structures in an around Dal Lake here.
A Division Bench of the High Court yesterday directed Minister for Youth Services and Sports Imran Ansari to file a response for allegedly threatening the enforcement officer of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) over demolition of illegal structures in Lashkari Mohalla in Habak area on the banks of the lake on August 2.
The Bench, comprising Justice M H Attar and A M Magrey, also directed for impleading BJP MLC Ajatshatru Singh as a party and sought his response to illegal construction allegedly carried out by him in Gupkar area.

The respondents have been directed to file response by or before next date of hearing on September 5.
In the meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, are directed to forthwith stop the constructions whatever is being carried out in violation of Court orders by Ajatshatru Singh.
Any construction already raised shall be sealed alongwith the ongoing construction and shall remain on Superdari of Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, the court said.

The court also directed them to file a compliance report before Registry within four days.
The bench passed the directions after court-appointed Vigilance Commissioners submitted their report to the court about illegal constructions going on within the prohibited area of the Dal lake.

"The Enforcement Officer of the LAWDA took note of the violation and sent a letter in this regard to the Secretary, LAWDA, for information for appropriate action because the security guards stationed at the entrance of the area did not permit them to enter the area," the Commissioners said.
(Reopen LGD33)
Through the communication, Vice Chairman LAWDA was informed by the officer that on August 2, a meeting was convened in Police Control Room, Srinagar and decision was taken for initiation of demolition drive at Habak on the foreshore road.
It was also informed that the LAWDA team consisting its Secretary, Collector, Enforcement Officer, and one Abdul Ahad Raina, Magistrate had to demolish the illegal constructions or structures there.

The demolition team was assisted by SSP Srinagar and SP Hazratbal etc and when the team reached Lashkari Mohalla to demolish the illegal constructed structures belonging to one Pervaiz Ahmad Joo (Matta) against whom FIR is already registered at Police Station Nishat, it was attacked by the mob, the officer said.
The team assisted by the police used mild lathicharge and tear smoke shells to disperse the mob, the officer added.
The officer said that at 9.39 pm, he received a phone call and the caller identified himself as Imran Ansari and asked him how he and his team demolished the illegally constructed structures at Lashkari Mohalla.

The officer said the minister also used unparliamentarily language and threatened to kill him.
In view of the circumstances, Imran Ansari is also pleaded as party respondent in this position, the court said.
The court also directed the state government not to transfer the Enforcement Officer - DySP Suhail Reshi -- from LAWDA till further orders from it.
He shall continue to perform his duties in LAWDA, the court added.