'Can't Shirk Responsibility': Gujarat High Court Questions Surat Municipal Corp Charging Residents

The Gujarat High Court on Monday (August 10) asked the Surat Municipal Corporation that under what authority of law it is seeking charges to rehabilitate the residents of Nasir Nagar who lost their homes to a demolition drive.

It also asked the State Government to inform as to why Surat Municipal Commissioner and senior officers of the Police department were being permitted to continue on their posts, pending an inquiry into the matter. The court was hearing a plea by a group of residents concerning the demolition drive which was carried out in Surat's Nasir Nagar.

After hearing the parties, Justice Nikhil S Kariel in his order dictated:"Under such circumstance to this court it would require, the State and Corporation are required to answer that under what authority the corporation is seeking to rehabilitate persons whose residences were demolished prima facie without authority of law, by seeking charges from them which applicant would have to make under EWS scheme.

State would have to also answer why senior officers of the corporation including municipal commissioner and senior officers of the police department including DCP SOG (Special operations group) are permitted to continue on the posts, inspite of State directing inquiry including the role of municipal commissioner and DCP etc.