3 hrs ago
High Court Orders BMC to Reconsider Commercial Property Sealing
A court told Bhopal’s municipal authority to look again at a dispute over properties being used for businesses.
The authority had earlier threatened to seal and demolish the property.
The property owners said the area was allowed to have commercial use.
They also said their property had been changed from leasehold to freehold.
The court gave them seven days to provide their response and documents.
Officials must hear them before making a new decision.
The municipal corporation has four weeks to complete the process.
Meanwhile, politicians protested about Bhopal’s master plan, and residents objected to a proposed development zone near the metro line.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the Bhopal Municipal Corporation to reconsider action against properties allegedly used commercially in a residential area.
The petitioners challenged a September 5, 2022, notice threatening to seal and demolish their freehold property.
The petitioners said the area was designated for commercial use and that their property had been converted from leasehold to freehold.
The court gave the petitioners seven days to submit documents and ordered authorities to provide a hearing before deciding the matter within four weeks.
Separately, Congress leaders protested over Bhopal’s master plan, while residents opposed a proposed TDR zone along the metro corridor.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court, Bhopal Municipal Corporation, petitioners led by Vinod Kumar Singh, Congress leaders, and residents’ representatives.
- What
- The court ordered the Bhopal Municipal Corporation to reconsider a sealing and demolition notice involving allegedly commercial use of property in a residential area.
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, including the Roshanpura Square protest site and the Bhopal Metro corridor.
- When
- The order was passed on Friday; the disputed notice was issued on September 5, 2022.
- Why
- The court directed reconsideration after considering the petitioners’ response, supporting documents, an opportunity for a hearing, and a relevant Supreme Court judgment.
Petitioners, Congress Leaders and Residents
BMC and Government Authorities
Property sealing action
Petitioners, Congress Leaders and Residents
The petitioners said the area was designated for commercial use, their property was freehold, and their response to the notice should be considered.
BMC and Government Authorities
BMC had issued a notice threatening sealing and demolition but agreed to reconsider the matter after reviewing the petitioners’ response and documents.
Bhopal master plan
Petitioners, Congress Leaders and Residents
Congress leaders alleged that the BJP government was delaying a new master plan because of corruption and commission-based practices.
BMC and Government Authorities
The article reports the allegation but does not provide a response from the BJP government.
Proposed metro-corridor TDR zone
Petitioners, Congress Leaders and Residents
Residents demanded disclosure of maps, affected land records, development rules, and an assessment of impacts on water bodies, forests, protected areas, and low-density housing.
BMC and Government Authorities
The proposal would create a TDR receiving zone extending nearly 500 metres on either side of the Bhopal Metro corridor; officials’ response to the residents’ objections was not reported.
Key facts
- Court order
- BMC must reconsider the action and take a fresh decision.
- Decision deadline
- BMC said the process would be completed within four weeks.
- Petitioners’ deadline
- The petitioners were given seven days to submit a detailed reply, if needed.
- Earlier notice
- A September 5, 2022, notice threatened sealing and demolition of the property.
- Interim protection
- Protection granted on September 21, 2022, remains in force until a final decision.
- Related protest
- Former minister PC Sharma began a 31-hour fast demanding implementation of Bhopal’s master plan.
- TDR proposal
- Residents opposed a proposed TDR receiving zone extending nearly 500 metres on either side of the Bhopal Metro corridor.
Sources
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