MP HC directs registering case against minister

Gwalior, May 14 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Gwalior Bench has directed registering of case against state minister Anup Mishra, who is also former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's nephew, for interfering in government work during an anti-encroachment drive.

A division bench comprising Justice S S Jha and Justice Sanjay Yadav recently ordered to register a case against the minister and other government officials for causing hindrance during an anti-encroachment drive at Sarafa Bazaar here.

Without mentioning the name of the minister, the court stated that the report presented by the then Principal Secretary (Public Health and Family Welfare) made it clear that the minister prevented the squad from removing encroachment resulting in tension in the area.

Besides, the government's petition against the High Court directions in this regard has been quashed by the Supreme Court.

On the behalf of the government, counsel Brajesh Sharma requested the court for granting one more hearing.

The court fixed the last date of hearing on June 25 and directed the District Magistrate to present a report regarding action taken in this regard during the next hearing.

The court also pulled up government officials for slow progress in investigating into the matter.

The petitioner urged the court to refer the case to the Governor if no substantial progress was made in the case by the next hearing.

Businessmen had registered strong protest when the Municipal Corporation team reached Sarafa Bazaar to demolish illegal construction at the basement of a building. Mr Mishra reached the spot and disrupted the process.

UNI