SC declines to list PIL against Patkar on May 1

New Delhi, Apr 29 (UNI) The Supreme Court has declined to list for hearing on May 1, a PIL seeking prosecution of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar and her close associates for ''creating hurdles'' in the way of relief and rehabilitation (R&R) work for the Sardar Sarovar Dam oustees.

The petition filed by the NBA seeking directions to stop the ongoing construction to raise the height of the dam from 110 metres to 121.92 metres is listed for hearing on May 1. Petitioner V K Saxena's counsel had requested that both the cases be heard on the same day.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice C K Thakker, turned down the request of Dr Saxena, yesterday.

The hearing on the PIL is posted for July 7.

The petitioner has sought registration of criminal cases against Ms Patkar and her associates for preventing government officials from discharging their duties on the basis of the findings of the vigilance department of the Madhya Pradesh government.

The petitioner has also alleged the oustees are being forced not to accept rehabilitation package.

The government officials had been beaten up by the NBA activists, the petition said, adding the agitation was being funded by multinationals.

The apex court has already warned the state government that the construction of the dam would be stopped in case R&R measures were found inadequate.

The NBA has alleged that R&R work was only on papers. With the raising of the height of the dam, another 16,000 families will come in the submergence zone, the NBA added.

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