The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued bailable warrants against Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) commissioner Aaditya Dachawal for failing to appear in court during the hearing of a contempt petition related to a land ownership dispute in Upkar Nagar.
The court directed the city police commissioner to ensure the serving of bailable warrants and secure the presence of the MC Commissioner on the next date of hearing, which is scheduled for May 27. The case revolves around a contentious 2,200-square-yard land parcel regarding which ownership rights are being contested between a private petitioner and the MC.
During an earlier hearing, Dachawal had appeared via videoconferencing and sought additional time to file a response.
But he didn't show up for Friday's proceedings, so the court issued bailable warrants. By claiming that the land was released from the Kundan Puri Scheme and that it belonged to his predecessors, the petitioner has asserted his legitimate ownership of the land. The MC, however, argues that the land is not available for private ownership because it is a part of the overlapping Upkar Nagar Scheme. The civic organization has had numerous chances to support its claim but has yet to provide any official records or notifications. The commissioner's absence and the civic authorities' lack of evidence, the court noted, amounted to non-compliance with court orders.