SC dismisses NICE contempt petition

New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a contempt of court petition filed by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) against Gottigere Village Panchayat and others for violating the court's orders restraining them not to use water tank which is main source of water supply for the villagers and take a detour to reach on the other side of the tank.

The villagers have been demanding construction of flyover at the tank as taking detour takes a long time.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice C K Thakker dismissed the contempt of court petition as the NICE has already agreed to construct the flyover. Hence the contempt of court petition has become infructous.

Another contempt of court petition filed by NICE against Karnataka government for ordering a judicial inquiry into the alleged bungling in the Banglore Mysore Express Highway project worth over Rs. 2200 crores alleging that NICE was indulging in real estate business by acquiring excessive land, is already pending in the apex court.

The contempt petition has been filed by NICE against the state government for setting up a judicial inquiry in violation of the apex court orders for speedy completion of the express highway project. The inquiry is to be headed by retired Delhi high court chief justice B C Patel.

The apex court had imposed a cost of Rs 5 lakhs on the state government for indulging in frivolous litigation to stall the project.

Under the project eight new townships have to be developed along the highway for sustained growth of the state and around 3000 acres of land has been acquired for the purpose.

The present state government headed by Kumaraswamy, son of the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda who himself is opposed to the continuation of the present contractor, is also against the idea of NICE completing the project which is also aimed at reducing the increasing pressure of traffic on the Express highway by making another eight lanes along the highway.

JD (S)-BJP government headed by Kumaraswamy wants to change the contractor but is being not able to do in view of apex court and state high court orders to the contrary.

UNI AKS/SC RP HT1915