SC refuses to hear case related to demolitions by UP govt

New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) The Supreme Court today refused to hear a case related to the demolitions being carried out by the Mayawati government in Gomti Nagar area in Lucknow for construction of several complexes in the name of late Kanshiram, causing huge loss to the state exchequer.

During the hearing of the petition, Justice Markandey Katju remarked, ''A Judge decides a case only on merit without being influenced by any political party or by any other consideration.

Democratically elected government has the power to carry out demolitions.'' The bench comprising Justices Altamas Kabir and Katju ordered the transfer of the case from his bench to some other bench of the apex court and directed that the matter be placed before Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan for marking it to some appropriate bench.

The Allahabad High Court had restrained the Mayawati government from carrying out any permanent construction in the area as the amendment made by the Mayawati government in the Lucknow Master Plan for demolition of government bungalows in Gomti Nagar, which were only five to 10-years-old was challenged in the High Court.

The Uttar Pradesh government had come in appeal against the High Court order. The Mayawati government is constructing Kashiram Smriti Sthal, Kashiram Upvan Sthal and his memorial in Gomti Nagar.

A government sports complex has already been demolished, which was constructed at the cost of over Rs 100 crore and several roads have been closed.

The petitioners in the High Court have directed the state government to restore the demolished bungalows and reopen the roads damaged for facilitating the completion for Ms Mayawati's dream project, which also includes Dr Ambedkar stadium.

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