IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH BENCH AT INDORE
Pranay Verma, J.
Yasmin & Ors. – Appellants
Versus
Indore Municipal Corporation & Ors. – Respondents
Writ Petition No. 4462 of 2023
Decided On : 20-02-2023
Constitution of India - Article 226 - Issuance of show cause notice and demolition in Patel Nagar, Khajrana, Indore - The court directed the respondents to issue notices to the petitioners and/or the person in actual possession of the property, provide an opportunity for hearing, and refrain from taking coercive steps until final orders are passed. The petitioners were also prohibited from carrying out any construction over the disputed property until a final decision is made.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioners sought relief under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the act of the respondents of not issuing show cause notice and announcing to carry out demolition in Patel Nagar, Khajrana, Indore.
Finding of the Court:
The court directed the respondents to issue notices to the petitioners and/or the person in actual possession of the property, provide an opportunity for hearing, and refrain from taking coercive steps until final orders are passed. The petitioners were also prohibited from carrying out any construction over the disputed property until a final decision is made. The court disposed of the petition without expressing any opinion on merits.
Issues: The issues involved the act of the respondents of not issuing show cause notice and announcing to carry out demolition in Patel Nagar, Khajrana, Indore, and the relief sought by the petitioners under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was based on the need for the respondents to follow the procedure prescribed by law, including issuing notices, providing an opportunity for hearing, and refraining from taking coercive steps until final orders are passed. The court also emphasized the prohibition on the petitioners from carrying out any construction over the disputed property until a final decision is made.
Final Decision: The court disposed of the petition without expressing any opinion on merits.
JUDGMENT
Pranay Verma, J. - By this petition preferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners have prayed for the following reliefs :-
" It is, therefore most respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to declare the act of respondents of not issuing show cause notice and announcing to carry demolition in Patel Nagar, Khajrana, Indore recorded and filed as Annexure-P-1, to be unconstitutional illegal and capricious. And,
This Hon'ble Court be further pleased to direct the respondents to follow the procedure prescribed by law by serving the show cause notices, if any, and
Further, this Hon'ble Court be pleased to direct the respondents not to carry out any demolition against petitioners being the economically weaker section of society, and
This Hon'ble Court may further kindly be pleased to direct respondents not to interfere with the physical possession/enjoyment of the aforesaid property for which respondents have not issued any show cause notice.
Further this Hon'ble Court be pleased to grant any other relief as deemed just and proper in favour of the petitioners."
2. Learned counsel for the respondents submits that prior to initiation of any action against the petitioners notices will be served upon them and they shall be afforded opportunity of hearing. It is further submitted that notices upon some of the petitioners have already been served and such notices shall be served upon the remaining petitioners also.
3. In light of the aforesaid statement, I deem it fit and hence direct the respondents to issue notices to the petitioners and/or the person who are in actual possession of the property. Upon receipt of the notice, the petitioners shall file their individual reply within a period of ten days alongwith all requisite documents. Upon filing of the same, the petitioners shall be individually afforded opportunity of hearing prior to passing of the final order. Till final order is passed, in respect of each of the petitioners, no coercive steps shall be taken against them. In case the final orders are against the petitioners, then they shall be afforded breathing time of ten days for challenging the order, in accordance with law.
4. It is further directed that till final decision the petitioners shall not carry out any construction, over the property in dispute.
5. With the aforesaid, without expressing any opinion on merits, the instant petition stands disposed off.
Certified copy as per rules.
The central legal point established in the judgment is the requirement for the respondents to issue notices, provide an opportunity for hearing, and refrain from taking coercive steps until final ord....
Due process, opportunity of hearing, prohibition on construction
The court upheld the MCD's authority to issue demolition notices for illegal constructions, emphasizing compliance with statutory procedures.
The court affirmed that actions affecting property rights must adhere to principles of natural justice, requiring notice and opportunity to be heard before any coercive measures are taken.
Show cause notice prior to demolition complies with civil court order for due process of law by providing hearing opportunity; writ challenge thereto is premature due to available alternative remedie....
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