HC refuses to deseal IIPM premises

New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) Refusing to deseal the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) building, the Delhi High Court today served notice to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the land owning agency, and asked Institute to produce the copy of the original lease deed tomorrow.

Adjourning the matter till tomorrow, the bench of acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kailash Gambhir asked the DDA to file a reply to the allegations of the complainant.

In an urgent petition, the IIPM said the authorities had sealed the premises at B-27, Qutab Institutional Area in South Delhi owned by Canara Bank Relief and Welfare Society without serving any show-cause notice.

''No show-cause notice served or opportunity was granted to the institute before sealing the premises, which is complete violation of the principles of natural justice, equality or fair play,'' said the petition filed by Sanghi&Co on behalf of the IIPM.

The DDA had granted permission for letting out 68 percent of the premises by the owner and the IIPM was the lawful tenant, said the petition.

Praying for immediate desealing of the premises, the petitioner said about 250 students were studying in the institute and second semester was due to be held on November 20, 2006.

DDA Counsel submitted that the premises was sealed as the owner had flouted the provisions of the lease deed.

Clubbing the matter with the petition- Kalyansansthan-- dealing with illegal constructions in the Capital, the court said the matter would be heard tomorrow along with the main petition.

Many other premises allotted to various societies for setting up institutions in the area were being sealed by the authorities for misusing the lease deed.

UNI PAT YA HT1828