The Haridwar Development Authority (HDA) plans to execute the sealing order issued for the ashram of BJP leader Satpal Maharaj at Munikireti, Rishikesh, for violation of regulations. The notice was issued on Thursday and is slated to be executed next week, said HDA officials. While Maharaj supporters are claiming that this action is part of political vendetta as Maharaj was a rival of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat even when he was in Congress before joining the BJP, HDA officials stress that the Ashram is being sealed irrespective of the owner for violation of regulations and 2013 Uttarakhand High Court order prohibiting construction within 200 metres of a river.
Talking to The Pioneer, HDA vice chairman HS Chugh said that the action had been initiated without any other motive except taking legal action against unauthorised construction. "We are not taking this action to target the owner of the building. We had been issuing notices since May this year to stop construction of the Ashram but till date not a single notice was replied to. Now that the third floor of the building has also been constructed, we served the notice for sealing the building since the building map had not been approved by the HAD."
Responding to allegations about this Ashram being singled out and other similar constructions being ignored Chugh said, "Action will be taken against any unauthorised construction within 200 metres of the river. Inform us about any particular building being constructed without the mandatory approval and we will take action," he added.In the case of Maharaj's Ashram, the authority will follow the due procedure and is likely to seal the building next week after which it could be demolished.
Meanwhile, some local BJP leaders including Samar Mahant have questioned this action alleging that several Congressmen have occupied government lands."There are numerous illegal constructions near the Ganga but the government is not acting against these," added Mahant.