By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, June 19: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday penalised Dr C.V.S.K. Sarma, the former commissioner and special officer of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, by imposing a fine of Rs 10,000 in a contempt of court case.
Justice A Gopal Reddy, admitting the contempt petition, also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the assistant city planner, Ms V.S. Shama from Circle VIII of the GHMC.
The judge observed that the respondents had wilfully and deliberately disobeyed the orders of the HC in a writ petition by demolishing the structure and preventing the course of justice. The judge did not accept the apology tendered by Dr Sarma for any lapse in implementing the court orders.
Mr Mohammed Moinuddin, a resident of the city, filed the contempt petition alleging that the respondents along with their subordinates with the help of labourers forcibly demolished his shop situated in 35 square yards at Jambagh in Moazzamjahi market on April 28, 2008.
According to the petitioner, he had earlier approached the court when the GHMC official forcibly demolished his shop without following due procedure under the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act 1955 and without a notice.
The court disposed the petition on January 1, 2003 directing the respondents to follow the guidelines issued by the High Court in 1998.
According to the guidelines for acquisition of land for road widening, the corporation can enter into a mutual settlement through negotiation with the owners. If the owners fail to give their consent, the GHMC can proceed with the acquisition.
The court directed both the officials to pay the fine within two weeks to the petitioner. If they fail to pay the fine, the respondents shall be liable to undergo simple imprisonment for seven days, the court ordered.
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