The Jharkhand High Court on Monday set-aside the order issued by the office of Ranchi Municipal Corporation to demolish illegal constructions in the municipal area of Ranchi.
The single Bench of Justice Rajesh Shankar passed the order while hearing a petition filed by affected residents of Bandhu Nagar area where the corporation had undertaken demolition drive.
During the hearing, the court said that the due process has to be followed before passing any order. The court said that petitioners have not got the opportunity of hearing and appeal in this case. The court directed Ranchi Municipal Commissioner to conduct a proper hearing to their application on September 2 before taking any decision.
This order has brought a big relief to the people of Hinoo and other localities of Ranchi where Ranchi Municipal Corporation has undertaken a demolition drive.
Senior lawyer Ritu Kumar and Devarshi Mandal who appeared on behalf of applicants told the court RMC has been demolishing many houses on the ground that these houses were constructed without approval of map. They said that while the corporation passed the order of demolition without serving any notice to affected parties.
They said that the corporation had published a notice in this regard in the local newspapers after which people started applying before the Municipal Commissioner for correction and regularization. But the corporation turned down their request which is against the law. Ranchi municipal Corporation has been removing encroachments around water bodies and rivers on the instruction of Jharkhand High Court.