HIGH COURT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR AT JAMMU
Muzaffar Hussain Attar, J.
Building Operation Controlling Authority -Appellant
Versus
Tarvinder Kour & Ors. -Resopndent
OWP No. 373-2013 & CMA No. 495-2013
Decided On : 13-05-2013
Sealing - Building Operation - J&K Control of Building Operation Act, 1988, Section 7, Section 8, Section 13
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner issued a notice to the owner of a building under Section 7(1) of the J&K Control of Building Operation Act, 1988, alleging unauthorized conversion of a residential building into a commercial one. The Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Jammu, ordered for sealing of the premises. The respondent challenged the sealing order before the J&K Special Tribunal, which set aside the order. The petitioner filed a writ petition questioning the jurisdiction of the Special Tribunal to entertain the appeal.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the appeal filed before the J&K Special Tribunal was incompetent as there was no provision for filing an appeal against an order under Section 8(1) of the Act of 1988. The court also emphasized that remedies are available to the aggrieved party, including invoking the extraordinary writ jurisdiction of the court.
Issues: The main issue was whether the J&K Special Tribunal had jurisdiction to entertain an appeal against the sealing order under Section 8(1) of the Act of 1988.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the appeal is a creature of statute and can only be filed when authorized by the statute. As Section 13 of the Act of 1988 did not provide for filing an appeal against an order passed under Section 8(1), the appeal before the Special Tribunal was held to be incompetent.
Final Decision: The court quashed the impugned order passed by the J&K Special Tribunal and allowed the respondent to invoke appropriate remedy if still aggrieved of the sealing order.
2. Mr. Jalali, learned Senior Advocate appearing for tenant, vehemently argued that the provisions of Sections 7 & 8 of the Act of 1988 are to be read together. Learned counsel submitted that in fact, Section 8 of the Act of 1988 has to be read as proviso to Section 7 of the Act and any order of sealing passed would be appealable under Section 13 of the Act of 1988. Learned counsel further submitted that in case two provisions are not read in the manner as suggested by him then a person whose premises is sealed in terms of Section 8 of the Act of 1988, would be rendered remedy-less. Learned counsel prayed for dismissal of the present writ petition.
3. In order to appreciate the issues raised, Sections 7, 8 & 13 of the Act of 1988 are taken note of:-
7. Order of demolition of building in certain areas
(1) where the erection or re-erection of any building has been commenced or is being carried on or has been completed without the permission referred to in section 4 or in contravention of any conditions subject to which any permission has been granted, the Authority shall issue a notice in writing calling upon the person to show cause within a period of 48 hours, why the building should not be altered or demolished as may be deemed necessary to remove the contravention.
(2) The Authority shall cause the notice to be affixed on the outer door of the some conspicuous part of the building whereupon the notice shall be deemed to have been duly served upon the owner or the occupier of the building.
(3) If the person to whom the notice has been given refuses or fails to show cause within a period specified under Sub-Section (1) or if after hearing that person, the Authority is satisfied that the erection or re-erection of the building is in contravention of the provisions of this section, the Authority shall by order direct the person to demolish, alter or pull down the building or part thereof so far as is necessary to remove the contravention within a period not exceeding five days as may be specified in the order and if the person fails to comply with the direction, The Authority itself cause the erection or re-erection to be demolished after the expiry of the said period and may for that purpose use such Police Force as may be necessary which shall be made available to him by the Police Department on requisition.
(4) All expenses incurred for such demolition shall be recoverable from the owner and/or the occupier in the same manner
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