HC: Name officials who allowed encroachments

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, May 16

Taking a tough stand over illegal constructions along the Kalka-Shimla highway, the High Court directed the Principal Secretary, Town & Country Planning Department, to disclose the names of all officers who allowed these during 2015-16.

It further cautioned the Principal Secretary, if the information was not furnished before the next date of hearing, then he will remain present in the court on May 17.

The court passed this order on a PIL petition, highlighting the issue of unauthorised constructions along the highway.

In its earlier order, the court had directed the state authorities and the National Highways Authority of India to remove all encroachments on this road. Apart from this, the court had passed several orders and in one of its orders, it had directed the state officials to furnish the particulars as to who had constructed and were constructing these   in   and   around Barog and also right from Timber Trail to Dhalli (Shimla).