Vadodara Municipal Corporation submitted an unconditional apology to the High Court on Monday after the Municipal Commissioner sent a WhatsApp message asking the court to pass a demolition order on the basis of merit. The court will decide if it wants to accept it or initiate contempt of court proceedings on September 18.
The single bench of Justice RH Shukla asked the Additional Advocate General to impress upon the official that he had acted in haste and had tried to influence court proceedings.
Vadodara's Pradeep Shah and eight others had challenged the demolition of shops situated just opposite the railway station and in January 2017, the High Court had granted a stay on the demolition and asked th ecivic body to maintain status quo. During the hearing, Municipal Commissioner Vinod Rao had sent a WhatsApp message on August 22 with a request to dispose of the matter on merit. This invited the ire of the court, which asked him to personally appear before the court with an unconditional apology and the text that he sent to the judge.
Rao, through an affidavit, unconditionally apologised on Monday. Appearing on behalf of the VMC, Maulik Nanavati and Additional Advocate General Prakash Jani submitted that there is no justification for the mistake. The official has submitted that he never intended to influence the court proceedings or the outcome.
But, the petitioners' advocate Sharvil Majmudar and Senior Counsel Mihir Thakore requested other contempt of court proceedings against the officer on record. Allowing time to bring such documents on record, the court kept the matter for a hearing on next Monday to decide whether or not to initiate action or simply close the case.
"Respected Sir,
Pardon me for sending this message, if you find it imappropriate.
With all respect, May I humbly draw your attention towards a substantially demolished building standing as a looming threat to the public safety since eight months due to the exparty status quo order from the honourable high court. This structure could collapse any time during these days of heavy rains, taking many lives with it.
May I alsohumbly draw your kind attention towards one of the most crucial development projects of the city attempted to be sabotaged to serve the unreasonable demands of a few ric and powerful individuals.
Vadodara Municipal Corporation is planning to construct a state of art city transport Terminal and Multi Level Parking hubin front of Railway Station. It will have lakhs of passengers every day and ease out congestion and parking issues in front of railway station and MS University.
Nine erstwhile tenants of Jilla Panchayat, all of whom are very rich and influential, are trying to sabotage it since eight months. VMC made earnest efforts to negotiate, and made best possible offer for amicable resolution of the dispute. Each time they agree and then back track. We are still open for any reasonable settlement even today.
Every time the matter comes up for final hearing for disposal, they try new delay tac-tics to arm twist the VMC. Today, the matter is kept again for hearing and a new attempt would be made.
With folded hands, i plead your honour to dispose the matter on merits considering the larger public interest as against narrow vested-interests of a few persons.
Pls pardon me and ignore this message if you honour finds it inappropriate.
Pls help us to help the city.
Thanks and respectful regards
Vinod Rao
Commissioner
Vadodara Municipal Corporation"
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 "Vinod Rao")
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