Court orders attachment of DGP's property

The Jammu and Kashmir high court has ordered attachment of Director General of Police Ashok Suri's official residence, being constructed on the banks of the Dal Lake.

A division bench, comprising justices Nisar Ahmad Kakroo and Pramod Kohli, on Tuesday appointed state home commissioner as the receiver of the property. He has also been ordered to present himself with relevant records before the court on Thursday.

Earlier, the bench issued contempt notices to the DGP and Additional Director General of Police in-charge of the police housing colony, Madan Lal, asking them to be present on Thursday.

Following a public interest litigation by one Syed Tahir Geelani last year, the court had banned any type of construction in the demarcated green belt around the Dal Lake, which has been reduced to a foul-smelling pool because of encroachment and discharge of effluents.

However, despite the ban, the National Conference government started constructing a residence-cum-office complex for the chief minister and the DGP.

The court took cognisance of the activity and a committee, comprising district magistrate, Srinagar, registrar high court and a retired sessions judge, was formed to inspect the site and submit a report.

The committee members reported to the high court that security guards had not allowed them to enter the area where the residential complex for the DGP was being constructed. The guards apparently told them that 'they had orders from higher officials not to allow any one in'.

The committee found that construction work was going on in full swing at the complex.

"We judges owe accountability to the society. What answer do we have to those who have been rendered homeless during recent demolition drive against unauthorised constructions when the high-ups of the state are themselves involved in such unauthorised constructions," the judges remarked.

Rs80 million had been spent on the complex by the time the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government ordered stoppage of work after coming to power.

The disclosure that the construction work was continuing despite directions to the contrary has embarrassed the state government.