Delhi HC asks Centre to hear affected persons before demolishing structures in Ajmer dargah
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Centre to give a hearing to affected persons before taking any precipitative steps, including dismantling and demolishing structures within and outside the premises of Dargah Khwaja Saheb in Ajmer.
The court also directed the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to expedite the formation of Ajmer Sharif Dargah Committee.
"Let the same be done as expeditiously as possible," Justice Sachin Datta said.
The court said before taking any precipitative steps on the basis of authorities' November 22 order, the principles of natural justice shall be adhered to followed by an opportunity of hearing and a reasoned order shall be issued to each of the parties.
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The court was hearing a plea by Syed Meharaj Miya, a 'khadim' of the dargah, seeking quashing of an order issued by the ministry on November 22 for the removal of unauthorised, unapproved and illegal encroachments in the dargah premises.
The counsel for the Centre said there are illegal encroachments and temporary structures have been created in the courtyard in which people have put in tables and chairs. He said these people will bring their goods and sell them here which will cause obstructions to the devotees.
"There is a security concern. We are supposed to secure the place. A festival is going to be celebrated at the dargah this month and five lakh people are expected to visit," the Centre's counsel submitted.
To this, the court said, "What about compliance with principles of natural justice before you remove something. You cannot just go with a bulldozer and wipe everything out."
The court said on November 6 that had directed the government to expedite the process of appointment of the members of the dargah committee, preferably within three months.
"You can't sit on it. I gave you three months, that does not mean you will do it on the 90th day. Till then if you want to take any precipitative step, you have to give an individual notice to the person concerned," the judge said.
The petitioner's counsel contended that the authorities have ordered sweeping administrative action infringing upon the fundamental rights of a large section of persons.
He said the impugned actions are sought to be taken in utter denial of the principles of natural justice without even affording an opportunity of hearing to the affected parties.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on February 23.
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Goa nightclub fire: Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket after tragedy, say police
Panaji (PTI): Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused and owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives, fled to Phuket hours after the tragedy, Goa Police said on Monday.
"Goa Police have taken further steps to coordinate with the Interpol Division of the CBI to apprehend both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at the earliest," a senior police officer said.
A massive fire at the nightclub, some 25 kilometres away from Panaji, on late Saturday night killed 25 persons. The deceased comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. Five injured people were undergoing treatment at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
After registering an FIR against them, a Look Out Circular was issued against them by December 7 by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) at the request of the Goa Police.
The Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai was contacted, and it was found that both the accused had taken the 6E 1073 flight to Phuket at 5.30 am on December 7, immediately after the fire incident, which occurred around midnight, the officer said.
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He said the Goa Police had immediately dispatched a team to Delhi to conduct raids on the addresses of the accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra.
"Since they were not available, a notice under the appropriate sections of law was pasted on the gate of their house. This shows their intent to avoid the police investigation", he said.
Goa Police have obtained transit remand of Bharat Kohli, an employee of the club, and are bringing him to Goa.
He also said that the postmortem on all 25 deceased has been completed and bodies handed over to their families.
