Ramazan Bachat Bazaars: SHC issues non-bailable warrants for KMC Bachat Bazaar director, others

Petitioners allege the market organised by Rauf Enterprises to be illegal, given cancellation of NOC.

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court has issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s director for Ramazan fair price markets, Awami Colony police SHO and a Bachat Bazaar organiser for failing to comply with the court’s order.

Justice Ghulam Sarwar Korai issued warrants on Monday against KMC Director Bachat Bazaar Khalid Hussain, Awami Colony SHO Hatim Marwat Khan and Abdul Rauf for not appearing in response to contempt notices and subsequent bailable warrants.

Shaikh Habib and Gulzar Ahmed, office-bearers of the Korangi’s Shopkeepers Association, had gone to the court against illegal organising of the Ramazan fair price market by Rauf Enterprises despite the cancelation of the no objection certificate (NoC) issued by the local administration.

They alleged that the organiser was holding the bazaar on Abdullah Rasheed Road in Korangi No. 6, which caused problems for the residents as well as losses to the shopkeepers in the locality.



On July 26, the high court had directed Abdul Rauf, the proprietor of the Rauf Enterprises, not to organise such Bachat Bazaar illegally. He, however, reportedly continued his business in violation of restraining order issued by the court, the petitioners stated.

He had moved an application, pleading to initiate contempt proceedings against the named individuals.  Taking notice of the situation, the bench had asked SHC Nazir to submit a report before August 1 after inspecting the site.

In its report, the Nazir claimed that during inspection, he found that 550 stalls were set up where Rs100 and Rs200 were being charged on a daily basis.

SHC had issued bailable warrants on July 30 for arrest of the director, SHO and Abdul Rauf for violating court orders.

When the two judges took up the matter on Monday, none of the officials and private person was present, which irritated the bench. The non-bailable warrants were issued in sum of Rs50,000 each.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2013.