Lt. Governor refuses to order demolition

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JULY 27.

Despite the Delhi High Court refusal to consider the breach of public peace plea earlier, Delhi's Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. Vijai Kapoor, has again reiterated it as the reason for not going ahead with the demolition of unauthorised structures around Jama Masjid here.

The DDA had approached Mr. Kapoor seeking his permission for removal of illegal constructions and encroachments in and around the Jama Masjid as per the Delhi High Court directive of November 28 and February 28. The High Court had, on July 10, summoned the DDA Vice-Chairman, Mr. P. K. Hota, to appear before it on August 10. He has been asked to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for not complying with its previous two orders in this regard.

Insiders at Raj Niwas and DDA said Mr. Kapoor, who also is the DDA Chairman, in a halfpage note, is understood to have justified his decision, stating that any attempt to demolish illegal structures and encroachments from the Jama Masjid area would create a major law and order problem resulting in the situation getting out of control.

Mr. Kapoor is understood to have argued that this was a volatile and sensitive issue and he, being head of Delhi Police, could not risk creating a chaotic situation, particularly at a time when Parliament is in session. It is better to wait for the report of the Delhi Government appointed committee to suggest and recommend the area development plan of the Jama Masjid, he is learnt to have argued.

After refusal from Mr. Kapoor, the DDA is now likely to plead before the High Court that it was not given ``clearance'' for encroachment removal by the Lieutenant-Governor.

As per the latest directive from the Union Urban Development Minister, Mr. Jagmohan, this affidavit will be shown to him, and it is unlikely that he will toe the line being pursued by the DDA, sources said. The July 10 directive of the High Court was taken seriously by Mr. Jagmohan, following which he had asked the DDA to submit a report as to why the order was not implemented.

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