Jammu and Kashmir High Court today expressed displeasure over an official of Srinagar Municipal Corporation seeking exemption from submitting details of his property.
"Why are you shying away? You are raising doubts on your person and position," a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justices M H Attar and A M Magray said.
The bench was responding to a petition filed by Joint Commissioner, SMC, who had sought exemption from filing details of his properties in court on the ground that he had assumed charge of the position recently and had also submitted these details to the government as prescribed.
The court granted five days' time to the official concerned to submit the details of movable and immovable assets owned by him, his spouse and children.
The bench also directed the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, to take custody of three plots of land measuring four kanals and 18 marlas (26,456 square feet) owned by Chief Enforcement Officer of SMC Hakim Aijaz Ali as the relevant documents about these properties were not submitted before it.
The court granted five days' time to Ali to submit the relevant documents pertaining to these properties.
The High Court, which is hearing a public interest litigation pertaining to alleged violations of Srinagar Master Plan, directed the individuals, whose properties had been sealed by the SMC, to challenge sealing orders before the Jammu and Kashmir Special Tribunal within seven days.
The tribunal was directed to hold hearings on day-to-day basis and decide the appeals in accordance with the law. It was also directed to furnish copies of orders it passes in any of the cases to Registrar Judicial of the High Court.
Meanwhile, Justice Attar took exception to a submission made by Mian Abdul Qayoom, president of Kashmir High Court Bar Association who is appearing for one of the affected persons, that the violations of the Master Plan had taken place in front of everyone, including the judges.
"Such submissions will not be entertained. The judges did not see (the violations). Be serious while making your submissions," Justice Attar observed.
However, Qayoom said the bench was within its right on whether to accept the submission or not but "it is a fact".
The court listed the case for next hearing on November 28.
