The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Delhi Government to file a reply at the earliest in a plea alleging that land of 2,000 sq. meters provided for the construction of a dharamshala is being used for running a 5-star hotel with a jacuzzi and a bar.
A divisional bench of the Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh said, “It is not an ordinary dharamshala, I wish such dharamshalas are constructed in the entire country.”
The petition has been filed by Jankalyan Lakshya Foundation alleging that instead of using complete land for the purpose of dharamshala, a hotel has been running on a part of land having several facilities including a bar, a jacuzzi and conference room. Thus, there is a change in the use of land in question
Counsel appearing for the respondent submitted that the Delhi Development Authority is cancelling the allotment, and hence the reply would not be required. On which the Chief Justice said that, shall we take this on record? don’t make statements that you are not sure about.
However, earlier in the matter the counsel appearing for the DDA had submitted that purpose of land in question remains as it is i.e. dharamshala. However, regarding part of built-up area of the building measuring 710.34 sq.meters., permission was granted for subletting for the same activity.
The bench has allowed time to the respondents to file a reply and listed the matter for March 12.