SC seeks response of Centre, Gujarat and MP govts

New Delhi, Feb 12 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat governments to respond within four weeks to a petition seeking criminal investigation against Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar and her associates for stalling the progress of hydro thermal projects in the country, including Sardar Sarovar Dam Project, and for receiving funds from foreign countries.

A Bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and Lokeshwar Singh Panta issued the directions after hearing counsel for the petitioner National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL), an NGO, who alleged that Patkar and her associates were carrying on the campaign to stall the construction of various dams at the instance of the foreign companies based in UK and USA and are being financed by these companies.

The petition also alleges that there were several cases pending against her close associate Rahul Banerjee and state government officials and displaced families were being intimidated and attacked by NBA activists and houses constructed for rehabilitation of ousted families have been demolished by the followers of Medha Patkar.

The petitioner has also alleged that there was report of the vigilance department of the MP government confirming the allegations made in the petition but no action is being taken against Patkar and her associates who are allegedly preventing the state government officials from discharging their official duties and some of them have been attacked physically also.

UNI