DB imposes costs Rs 20000 for not filling status report
In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Citizen Forum through its President RK Chadha regarding fly-over project from Shakuntla-Janipur fly over proposed in 2008 has been abandoned for some extraneous reasons and regarding -congesting/widening of the Amphalla – Janipur road and regard to de-congesting/widening of the Janipur – High Court Road.
A Division Bench of J&K High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal after hearing Adv Aditya Sharma for the PIL, imposed costs Rs 20000 for not filling the status report.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, Division Bench observed that as back as on 19th March 2019, this Court had directed to Planning Departmnet to file a status report within two weeks failing which costs of ?20,000/- would be imposed.
DB further observed that time to file status report was sought on 16th July, 20th August, 20th September, 16th October, 29th November 2019; and 21st August 2020. Neither the status report nor the plan in question has been filed till date.
DB observed that n view thereof, costs of ? 20,000/- are imposed which will be recovered from the Officer who is responsible for all these delays. Costs shall be deposited to the Advocate’s Welfare Fund within two weeks from today. The status report shall accompany proof of deposit of costs. It is made clear that the costs imposed will not be waived under any circumstances.
DB further observed that this writ petition is pending since the year 2013 and pertains to construction of a flyover from Vikram Chowk to Janipura, a critical area. JNF