Government lacks guts to go after squatter politicians-SC

New Delhi, Sep 18 (UNI) The Supreme Court told the Centre today that it does not have the guts to go after the big fishes including politicians and top bureaucrats found in unauthorised occupation of government bunglows and accomodation.

A bench comprising Justices B N Aggarwal and B K Jain reprimanded the government for not taking any action against the top guns for eviction as well as recovery of dues from them including penal charges for over staying in government accomodation.

The court has been repeatedly directing the government at the Centre as well as in the states to arrest the occupants for illegal trespass under Section 441(IPC) and also take departmental action against the illegal occupants and place them under suspension immediately and also dismiss them if required.

The court will hear arguments tomorrow on the issue whether an offence under Section 441(IPC) should be made non-bailable or not.

The apex court has been taking up the cases of all states as well Centre and Union Territories to take action against the unauthorised occupants.

The court also told the government counsel that this government can act only against peons and clerks but does not have the guts to touch the big fishes and their outstanding dues running into crores still remain to be recovered and it is surprising that government requires directions from this court to act against big shots like ministers and MPs.

UNI