IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI
Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda, J.
Onum Sreenu – Appellant
Versus
The State Rep By Principal – Respondent
Writ Petition No.13230 of 2021
Decided On : 18-11-2022
Constitution of India, 1950 - Article 21, 58(d) - A. P. Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 - Section 121 - Protection of Life and Personal Liberty - Construction of buildings -Whether sustainable development which can be achieved only by way of protecting environment and conserving natural resources for benefit of humanity and future generations could be ignored in garb of economic growth or compelling human necessity –Held, This Court has no other option except to follow same to safeguard drainage canal in question - However, due to persistent developmental activities over a long time, much of natural resources of lakes and tanks were lost, and considered irreparable -This, though regrettable, is beyond power of this Court to rectify - More so, alleged house site patta for plot No.25, which is within water body area, is not permitted in view of law laid down by Court - Ecological balance and principles of preservation of natural water courses, lakes, canals and other types of water bodies and to achieve object of Article 58(d) of Constitution of India – Ordered Accordingly.
ORDER :
1. The present writ petition is filed to declare the construction being made by respondent Nos.7 and 8 on water body, which is a prohibited place, without approval of the 6th respondent-Grampanchayat and the inaction of the 6th respondent in not implementing the resolution No.34 dated 23.06.2021 passed by it for removal of the said construction, as illegal and arbitrary.
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj appearing for respondent Nos.1 and 3, Sri I.Koti Reddy, learned Standing Counsel for the 6th respondent-Gram Panchayat, and Sri S. Sridhar, learned counsel for respondent Nos.7 and 8.
3. In nutshell, the case of the petitioners is that the petitioners are the residents of Rolugunta Village and there is a tank called “Yamalamma Banda Tank” on the eastern side as well as a hillock on the western side of the said village. The rain water from the hillock flows through the Government poramboke land situated in Sy.No.259 of the village. There are two vankas/streams for the free flow of the water from the 2 NV,J W.P. hillock. But, some part of rain water from the hillock flows through a drainage canal. The free flow water course after crossing the house of one Pilli Raju takes turn towards North- Eastern side and goes behind the house of one Pilli Govinda, who partly occupied the water course on the South-western side of his house. The water course/stream travels between the houses of Pilli Raju and Pilli Govinda since there is a gap of about 30-35 feet and it is being formed as natural stream/vanka for flow of water from hillock to Yamalamma Banda Tank. So, it is a water body and any kind of constructions on the said site are prohibited. While so, recently respondent Nos.7 and 8 started making construction of a house within the bunds of stream/vanka, which is a water body, without obtaining any permission from the 6th respondent and the said construction would cause obstruction to free flow of water course coming from the hillock and also causing hindrance to the free flow of water into Yamalamma Banda Tank. It is also the case of the petitioners that on 02.06.2021 the petitioners and others submitted representations to the official respondents. Considering the representations, the 6th respondent issued notice to respondent Nos.7 and 8 on 21.06.2021 requiring them not to make any construction on the water body. In spite of the same, respondent Nos.7 and 8 are proceeding with the illegal construction. Then, the 6th respondent passed a resolution on 23.06.2021 directing the Executive authority to remove the illegal construction being carried out by respondent Nos.7 and 8. Even after issuing the notice dated 21.06.2021 as well as the resolution of the 6th respondent dated 23.06.2021, the Executive authority of the 6th respondent neither initiated action nor removed the illegal constructions being carried out by respondent Nos.7 and 8 within the bunds of water body/natural vanka. Hence the writ petition.
4. By an order dated 12.07.2021, after hearing both sides, while ordering notice before admission, this Court directed respondent Nos.7 and 8 not to proceed with the construction.
5. Respondent Nos.3 and 6 filed separate counter affidavits stating that the 7th respondent was granted possession certificate by the Tahsildar with regard to the site of an extent of 3 cents in Sy.No.259 of Rolugunta Village. Thereafter, without obtaining permission from the 6th respondent, the 7th respondent commenced construction of a RCC building at the said site. After receipt of said information, the 6th respondent passed a resolution on 23.06.2021 whereunder the 6th respondent took a decision for initiation of action. Pursuant to the same, the 3rd respondent issued a notice dated 21.06.2021 to the 7th respondent directing her to stop the construction of the building. Subsequently, the 7th respondent made an application dated 25.06.2021 seeking building permission and the same was rejected by
The court affirms the importance of protecting waterbodies, ruling that illegal constructions must be addressed in accordance with statutory provisions.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the duty of the State to hold and manage communal properties, such as water bodies, for the benefit of the community. The judgment also emphasizes ....
Point of law : water bodies cannot be alienated even if they are dry and cultivation carried on dried bed of water bodies does not denude land of its character as water bodies.
The state must diligently protect water bodies and thoroughly evaluate land status before permitting construction that may disrupt natural water flow, as outlined in the Odisha Irrigation Act.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.