SBCA is a corrupt institution: SHC

Justice Nadeem Akhtar of the Sindh High Court (SHC), while reprimanding the Director General, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), for not demolishing illegal structures, remarked that the SBCA is a corrupt institution.

"SCBA's legal department is also corrupt. All illegal constructions are made with SCBA connivance. We have issued show-cause notices to the DG in several other cases," Justice Akhtar remarked as a two-judge SHC bench, of which he was a member, took up a petition regarding SCBA's failure to demolish illegal constructions in Federal B Area on Saturday.

"In future, if you submit an incomplete or nonsensical answer, you will go straight to jail," the judge said as the bench ordered the judicial authorities to ensure implementation of its decisions.

The bench remarked that it had ordered removal of encroachments on Plot No. R-53, Block 9. "Tell us why the order has not been implemented? It is a high court. We will send you to jail from here. Your department is not doing anything," an angry Justice Akhtar remarked.

SBCA officials submitted before the bench that the Authority's task force was taking action on a daily basis. "All illegal constructions are made with your connivance," Justice Akhtar remarked, adding that the SBCA officials who appear before the court do not cooperate.

The SBCA officials further submitted that the Sindh government has also empowered the Deputy Commissioners to take action against illegal constructions.

Justice Akhter shot back: "We are talking to you very gently which you do not deserve. First, admit that your organization is not doing anything. You are trying to tell us that your organization is the best. Where is your answer?"

The DG SBCA sought 15 more days to implement the court order. Justice Akhtar remarked that the order was given in January while the FIR was filed in December. The DG said that SBCA legal department informed him late.

The court ordered the DG SBCA to ensure the implementation of its orders.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2022.