Supreme Court defers while directing states to file response in plea against Urban flooding, loss of public and private properties, Unplanned growth

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred hearing in a Public Interest Litigation alleging that the Government is making illegal acts committed with the connivance of corrupt officials and government machinery by the greedy, illegal real estate mafia and self-interested persons, into legal.

A bench of Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice Hrishikesh Roy directed the respondent states to file their rejoinder in the matter.

The plea further states that this will lead to Urban flooding, loss of public and private properties, Unplanned growth, Creation of Urban and rural slums, Giving scope to future illegal development and Traffic, electricity, drainage problems.

Counsels for the State of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh appeared before the bench seeking time to file their response.

It states that any construction activity right from Gram Panchayat to Mega Cities is governed by various regulations from respective authorities and whoever undertakes construction/land development activity, they should act according to the provisions of law.

The petitioner has sought direction to take action on public and private persons for allowing the illegal Layouts in the Respondent States resulting in massive corruption, generation of black money, causing urban floods, traffic jams, damage to natural resources which is contrary to the Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had noted that the States of Telengana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were made a party, however, the court while issuing notice directed the petitioner to implead all the States and Union Territories as a party.

It is further alleged that the States have been implementing regularization of “ILLEGAL LAYOUTS” in respective States. "The name itself clearly shows that the government is regularizing the illegal act committed by Real estate Mafia with the help of Government officials in the States," the plea added.

Case Title: Juvvadi Sagar Rao Vs. Union of India and Ors.