SHC seeks report on illegal construction

Asks NAB to complete inquiry in land grabbing, China cutting case

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday ordered filing of a progress report regarding implementation of the court order on a petition pertaining to illegal construction in Model Colony area. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Muhammad Faisal Kamal Alam heard the petition regarding illegal constructions in A-13, Model Colony.

Sindh Building Control Authority Korangi Assistant Director appeared in the court. The court expressed outrage at the authority for not demolishing the illegal construction. "Why are you not following the court orders?" asked Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, directing him to immediately comply with the orders and submit progress report.

"If the decision is not implemented, the DG will be called and strict action will be taken against all concerned." The petitioner had argued in his petition: "I am a resident of House No13, Nazar Mehran Depot, Model Colony.

The street behind my house has been illegally occupied and land mafia is constantly carrying out illegal construction on the street. Court decisions are constantly being violated."

China cutting

SHC has directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman to decide within six weeks the case pertaining to alleged fraud in the name of housing society and Chinacutting on government land by suspect Haji Adam Jokhio. A two-judge bench comprising Justice KK Agha and Justice Irshad Ali Shah heard the bail plea of Adam Jokhio, accused of fraud in the name of society and China-cutting of government lands.

The court expressed anger over NAB for failing to make final decision on filing of reference against the suspect. The court inquired the NAB authorities why the delay was being done in filing of reference. The investigating officer (IO) said that after completing all the proceedings against the accused, he sent it to the NAB headquarters for seeking legal advice.

"What is the content; what proceedings are required to be carried out, this must be mentioned in the recommendations," the court remarked. The IO said the regional board reviewed the matter and forwarded it to the headquarters to seek its advice on whether the reference is to be filed or not.

"How much time did the regional head office take? Now the head office will decide this matter," the court remarked, directing the NAB chairman to decide the case. According to NAB, an inquiry is underway against Adam Jokhio regarding 200 acres of land in Gulshan-e-Elahi.