ORDER SHEET

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH, KARACHI

C.Ps. Nos.D-2131 of 2010 and 297/2013
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DATE                  ORDER WITH SIGNATURE(S) OF JUDGE(S)

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1)       For orders on Misc. No.11126/2013

2)       For orders on Misc. No.2282/2011 (u/s 151)

3)       For Katcha Peshi.

4)       For hearing of Misc. No.8739/2010

          For orders on CMA No.7862/2013 (in CP No.D-297/2013)

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29.05.2013

 

Mr. Khawaja Shamsul Islam, Advocate for the Petitioner

Mr. Abid Sheerazi, Advocate for the Respondent

Mr. Shahid Jamiluddin, Advocate for SBCA a/w Waqar Mehmood, Deputy Director

Mr. Khursheed Javed, Advocate for KMC

Mr. Jameel Ahmed, Advocate for Katchi Abadies Department

Ashfaq Ahmed Baloch, SHO, P.S. Mehmoodabad and SIP Haji Ahmed

Mr. Muhammad Akbar, Advocate for Intervener

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1)       Mr. Khursheed Javed, says that CDGK will deposit cost of Rs.5000/- as directed by this Court vide order dated 15.01.2013, Application consequently is dismissed.

 

2)       Mr. Khawaja Shamsul Islam, learned counsel for the petitioner, has pointed out that this application was dismissed by this Court vide order dated 24.02.2011 and the office has wrongly filed this application for order. We have verified the counsel’s statement and have found it correct. This application has been wrongly listed for orders as it already stands dismissed on 24.02.2011, therefore, does not require further orders.

 

          Counsel for the respondents Nos.5 to 8 while inviting our attention to order dated 02.12.2010 submits that since there is no order in the instant petition directing demolition of the construction raised without approved plan and further that since the construction was raised by the respondents in Katchi Abadi, therefore, the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979 has no application on such construction and the prayer in the petition to the extent of respondents Nos.5 to 8 be rejected. He further contends that the lease issued by the KMC in favour of respondent No.5 has already regularized the construction as well as the unauthorized possession therefore there was no need of occasion for the respondents to apply for regularization or for getting the plan of construction approved. On the other hand, Khawaja Shamsul Islam while placing reliance on the orders of this Court in the case of Nek Muhammad vs. Maqbool Ahmed (2004 YLR 2777) contends that the issue regarding unauthorized construction on Katchi Abadi stands settled as a Division Bench of this Court has held in the stated order that, “the provisions of the Building Control Ordinance are clearly applicable even if it is assumed that the building raised by the respondents falls within a Katchi Abadi”.

 

Additionally, we have examined clause 4.1 of the lease referred to by the counsel with the contention that the KMC has regularized the construction as well, the clause only places an embargo on the lessee that structure on the plot, if any, shall be used for only residential purposes and does not even specify the regularization of the structure. The contention totally appears to be misconceived.

 

          As to order dated 02.12.2010, no doubt it records the statement of the counsel for the SBCA but it specifies the proposition of the law viz. the constructions, which are raised without approved plan are to be dealt with in terms of section 7-A of the Ordinance, 1979. The contention that no order has been passed directing demolition of unauthorized construction further is misconceived as the law itself provides how the unauthorized construction is to be dealt with. Additionally, series of orders passed thereafter indicates that repeatedly compliance report was sought from SBCA and in response SBCA prayed for police cover in order to complete the action. Even today Mr. Shahid Jameeluddin, learned counsel appearing for SBCA says that the compliance would be effected till 10th June 2013 and report will be filed thereafter immediately.

 

CMA No.7862/2013 (in C.P. No.D-297/2013): Counsel for the applicant says that petitioner has nothing to do with Plot No.494 as specified in the petition but under the garb of said order SBCA has threatened to demolish the construction of Plot No.R-494, which is owned by the applicant. He, therefore, prays that the applicant be impleaded as respondent and not only a proper opportunity of hearing be allowed but he be permitted to file his defence. On the other hand, Mr. Khawaja Shamsul Islam says that it was just a typographical error in the petition wherein the petitioner has mentioned Plot No.R-299, which is in fact R-494 and it has been corrected by the Nazir in his report.

 

          Be that as it may, we have asked the counsel as to whether the applicant, who claimed to be the owner of Plot No.R-494, has obtained permission for the construction of building from SBCA, the answer is in negative. Counsel states that double storied construction was raised some 10 years back and why the floor of second floor was being raised the instant petition has been filed. However, he says that petitioner has applied for regularization. Though the photographs on record and the Nazir report reflect that the construction covers C.O.S. In the circumstances, we do not find any worth in this application and while dismissing this application in limine would direct that the authority shall first scrutinize as to whether the petitioner has applied for regularization and if such application is available in their record then the action in terms of section 7-A of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979 would be taken only if their application is rejected. However, in case there is no such application then the SBCA shall act as per law and submit compliance report within a week’s time after 10.06.2013.

 

                                                                                            JUDGE

 

                                                                   JUDGE

 

Gulsher/PA