The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a
plea alleging contempt of its order on demolition of properties by the
authorities in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai, P K Mishra and K V
Viswanathan said it was not inclined to entertain the plea filed by the
petitioner who was not directly or indirectly related to the alleged act.
"We don't want to open a pandora's box,"
said the bench, adding, "Let the persons who are affected by demolition
come to the court".
The petitioner's counsel alleged the authorities in
Haridwar, Jaipur and Kanpur had demolished properties in contempt of the apex
court's order which had said demolition would not be carried out without its
permission.
"The Supreme Court's order was categorical that
without the leave of this court, no demolition would be carried out," the
counsel said.
He alleged in one of these cases, the property was
demolished soon after an FIR was lodged.
Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing
for the Uttar Pradesh government, said the petitioner was a third party and not
aware of the facts as it was only a footpath encroachment that was removed by
the authorities.
He said the petitioner had moved court on the basis
of some media reports.
The bench observed refused to entertain the plea
observing the petitioner was not directly or indirectly affected by the action.
The petitioner's counsel said in two of the three
cases, the affected persons were in jail.
The bench, however, noted the family members of affected
persons, who were in jail, could approach the court.
"People who are suffering often don't have
access to court," said the counsel.
The bench thereafter remarked, "Please don't
say that. There are public spirited citizens everywhere".
The top court further said if somebody's property
had been demolished, they could approach the court and the bench would hear it.
The top court had earlier reserved its verdict on a
batch of petitions raising the plea that properties, including those belonging
to persons accused of crimes, were being demolished in several states.
The apex court had on September 17 ordered no
demolition will take place across the country till October 1 without its
permission.
However, it had clarified that the order would not
be applicable to unauthorised structures on public roads, footpaths, railway
lines and water bodies.
On October 1, the apex court had reserved its
verdict in the matter saying until further orders, its September 17 interim
order would operate.
It had then suggested framing of pan-India
guidelines on the demolition of properties and said religious structures in the
middle of a road -- be it a 'dargah' (shrine) or a temple -- had to go as
public interest was paramount.
A person being an
accused or a convict was not a ground to demolish properties, it had said.