Unauthorised Construction of Swami Vivekananda Memorial: High Court Raises Concerns
Nagpur High Court’s Firm Stand
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has recently raised serious concerns regarding the unauthorized construction of the Swami Vivekananda Memorial near Ambazari Lake. Despite the absence of a development zone in the vicinity, construction activities have proceeded, prompting the High Court to intervene. The court, led by the division bench of Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri, has taken a stern stance against the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) officials, demanding accountability in this matter.
Court’s Directives
During the hearing, held on Friday, the High Court scrutinized the legality of the construction project. Notably, NMC officials were conspicuously absent during the proceedings, prompting the court to order their mandatory presence. Additional Commissioner of NMC, Anchal Goyal, along with other officials, appeared in compliance with the court’s directive.
Accountability and Violation of Rules
Expressing dissatisfaction with the response from NMC lawyers, the court emphasized the importance of accountability. It directed the NMC counsel to summon all senior officers and questioned their absence. The court warned of issuing contempt notices against absent officials, underscoring the violation of rules in erecting the memorial.
Legal Proceedings and Public Interest
The matter came to light through a public interest petition filed by concerned citizens, represented by Advocate Prashant Sathianathan. The petition highlighted not only the unauthorized construction but also the illegal felling of trees near Ambazari Dam by NMC, without proper permissions or citizen consultation.
Environmental Concerns
Ambazari Lake, designated as a wetland, has further raised environmental concerns. The High Court questioned the construction of the memorial, warning against jeopardizing citizens’ lives. Additionally, the court directed the Executive Director of the Irrigation Department to provide necessary information regarding the matter.
Ongoing Litigation
In a separate public interest litigation, citizens sought redress for financial losses incurred due to water seepage from Ambazari Lake during heavy rains in September 2023. Various legal representatives, including Adv Tushar Mandlekar, Adv Nivedia Mehnata, Adv Ravi Sanyal, and Adv Gemini Casat, have been involved in advocating for citizen rights and environmental protection.
The unauthorized construction of the Swami Vivekananda Memorial near Ambazari Lake has sparked legal scrutiny and public concern. The Nagpur High Court’s intervention underscores the importance of accountability, environmental preservation, and citizen participation in development projects.
