Bill to protect illegal construction challenged in SC

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) A PIL challenging the law, putting a one year moratorium against removal of unauthorised construction and JJ clusters, along with the ongoing sealing process against commercial establishments operating from residential areas in Delhi, was filed in the Supreme Court today.

The PIL, filed by Delhi Welfare Residents Association Joint Front (DWRAJF) and an NGO Citizens Voice, seeks to challenge the constitutional validity of the provisions of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Bill 2006, which has already been passed by both the houses of the Parliament, and reportedly got the assent of the President of India. The bill is likely to be notified in the official gazzette by the Union government within a few days.

The impugned bill, seeks to take out the illegal construction of all JJ Clusters, which have come up before January 1, 2006, from the ambit of any legal action for their removal.

The petition has challenged the validity of the bill on the grounds that the Parliament has passed the to give benefit to the land mafia and violators of law as well as encroachers on public land at the cost of law abiding citizens.

The petition further alleges that the bill amounts to adding premium to the illegal acts of encroachment of public land as well as illegal construction made by the builders mafia and other residents of Delhi, who do not seem to have any respect for law.

The petition also contends that the impugned bill is a clear attempt by the parliamentarians, to overreach the SC as well as Delhi High Court.

The sealing process is being carried out as per the SC orders, and orders for demolition of unauthorised construction, illegally carried out by the builders mafia as well as politicians of Delhi including several ministers in Delhi government headed by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit herself, and for removal of JJ clusters of public land, have been ordered by the Delhi High Court.

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