Now Reading: J&K High Court halts illegal hotel in Srinagar, warns civic body
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J&K High Court halts illegal hotel in Srinagar, warns civic body
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has restrained the commercial use of a residential building in Srinagar that was allegedly being converted into Hotel Shady Oaks. Justice Rahul Bharti called…
The Story in Brief
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has restrained the commercial use of a residential building in Srinagar that was allegedly being converted into Hotel Shady Oaks. Justice Rahul Bharti called unchecked building violations a “menace”, with municipal authorities turning a blind eye by design or default until construction is complete, forcing neighbours into litigation. The court directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation commissioner to ensure the building is not used as a hotel or guest house and warned that any violation would be treated as breach of its order.
The court also directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau to collect records of No Objection Certificates issued by the Tourism, Fire, Power, and Jal Shakti departments. The petition, filed by resident Syed Bilal Ahmad Qadri, alleges the building got permission for residential use but was registered as a guest house within a month, with repeated complaints ignored by authorities.
The Indian Opinion
The court’s sharp rebuke of civic inaction cuts through the usual narrative that blames only builders for illegal constructions. The reality is more tangled: municipal bodies often lack the will or capacity to stop violations early, while aggrieved residents spend years in court. Meanwhile, the ACB probe into NOC records could reveal whether officials facilitated the breach. The question is how many such buildings operate unchecked before a judge speaks.
Source: livelaw.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
