Sealing: SC issues contempt notice to Manoj Tiwari, summons him
Observation comes after Manoj Tiwari breaks lock of sealed property in East Delhi
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Wednesday issued a contempt notice against Delhi BJP chief and MP Manoj Tiwari, who had allegedly broken the seal of premises which was being run in violation of the Delhi Master Plan, and directed him to appear before it on September 25.
It “indicates a defiant attitude by the Member of Parliament, Manoj Tiwari,” the court said referring to a media report of yesterday on the issue.
While also taking serious note of a report filed by the apex court-mandated monitoring committee in this regard, a bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur observed that it was “unfortunate” that an elected representative should try to defy the orders of the top court.
The bench, also comprising Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta, took cognisance of the panel report and said it reflected a “rather disturbing state of affairs”.
“It is rather unfortunate that an elected member should try to defy the orders of this Court.
“Taking cognisance of the Report submitted by the Monitoring Committee which discloses a violation of orders of this Court and interference in the administration of justice which amounts to Contempt of Court, we issue a notice to the alleged contemnor, Manoj Tiwari, returnable on September 25,” the bench ordered.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Courtappointed monitoring committee for sealing in the national Capital on Wednesday clarified that if any individual from any political or social background breaks the sealing which has already been done, it would amount to contempt of court.
“If any individual or politician has any problem with the sealing, then they can reach the authorities and file their complaint. All the sealings have been done after proper survey and study in consultation with all the authorities,” said a member of the monitoring committee.
The committee, which works under the guidance of the apex court, has followed the standard procedure before sealing these places, with a team of experts – appointed by the court – forming is members.
As per procedure, the monitoring committee first makes a list of places and establishments which are illegal, and then decide on the sealing.
Before any sealing is done as per directions of the apex court, the committee informs the civic bodies as well as the police. The committee also decides a time when the sealing happen.
“There cannot be illegal sealing because after going through every detail, we decide the sealing and also we do not follow any direction by any government or any civic body. We only follow the order and directions of the Supreme Court,” said the member.
“However, in a democracy, any political party or individual, or even the stakeholders of the business property which we have sealed, can file a complaint. The civic bodies and we will go through the complaint and revert.
“Here, the case was not of any complaint but breaking the law. Whoever breaks the law is a criminal under the law,” he added, referring to the incident on Sunday where Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari broke the lock of a sealed building.
Tiwari has been issued a contempt notice by the court and an FIR has been filed against him.
The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have demanded an ordinance from the Centre to stop the sealing drive. However, no response has been given by the Centre yet.
On December 15 last year, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta had revived the powers of the monitoring committee and recalled its 2012 order staying the sealing drive in Delhi.
The current sealing drive in Delhi is not the first one.