SC slams Centre, says can't regularise illegal construction

New Delhi, April 3: The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Central government for extending protection to uuthorised constructions, saying it cannot regularise something which is illegal.

A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta asked the Central government about its plan for uuthorised construction for commercial activities, while observing that those who have committed illegalities cannot be protected just because they have invested money.

“You (the government) cannot regularise something which is totally not in accordance with law. You can regularise those which are in accordance with law,” it said after the government said it has been planning to regularise the uuthorised colonies.

It also said the government was legalising the illegalities perpetuated so far by protecting illegal construction and slammed it for protecting the traders holding the 186 lakh people of Delhi to ransom by their agitation against the sealing drive.

“Illegalities have been perpetuated and are now being legalised... this is destruction.

“These people (traders) are saying that we have done something illegal, but please protect us. Dhars by the traders are admission of their guilt. Innocent people do not go on dhars... What can be more arbitrary than this.”

“You (Centre) have to realise that people of Delhi are important, whether you are the Delhi Development Authority, the government, the municipal corporation or any other agency,” the court said. The court also asked the government about its plan regarding rampant encroachment in the city and in the uuthorised colonies. There were no green areas, sewage, draige facilities, parking and the innocent citizens were suffering due to all this, it said.

“There will be eight to 10 lakh traders in Delhi and to protect them you are holding 186 lakh people to ransom. It cannot be done. (IANS)