Minister accused of threatening officer, HC seeks response

Srinagar, Aug 22 (PTI) A minister has been served anotice by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court after a governmentofficer alleged that he had been threatened over demolition ofillegal structures in an around Dal Lake here. A Division Bench of the High Court yesterday directedMinister for Youth Services and Sports Imran Ansari to file aresponse for allegedly threatening the enforcement officer ofthe Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) overdemolition of illegal structures in Lashkari Mohalla in Habakarea 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 aparty and sought his response to illegal constructionallegedly carried out by him in Gupkar area. The respondents have been directed to file response by orbefore next date of hearing on September 5. In the meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir andInspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, are directed toforthwith stop the constructions whatever is being carried outin violation of Court orders by Ajatshatru Singh. Any construction already raised shall be sealedalongwith the ongoing construction and shall remain onSuperdari of Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, the court said. The court also directed them to file a compliance reportbefore Registry within four days. The bench passed the directions after court-appointedVigilance Commissioners submitted their report to the courtabout illegal constructions going on within the prohibitedarea of the Dal lake. "The Enforcement Officer of the LAWDA took note of theviolation and sent a letter in this regard to the Secretary,LAWDA, for information for appropriate action because thesecurity guards stationed at the entrance of the area did notpermit them to enter the area," the Commissioners said. The Court Commissioners had also enclosed with theirreport a communication which was send by the EnforcementOfficer (DySP) to Vice Chairman LAWDA on August 4. PTI MIJAKK