AMRITSAR: Punjab and Haryana high court has issued show-cause notice to former principal secretary to Punjab deputy chief minister Rahul Tiwari and four senior officials for sealing and demolition of illegally constructed properties around Golden Temple or be prepared to face action.The notice, issued by Justice Nirmaljit Kaur of Punjab and Haryana high court in the Sarabjit Singh Verka versus Rahul Tiwari and others case stated that till date, notices issued under relevant sections for removal of encroachments have not been taken to their logical conclusion either by way of demolishing or selling the said property.Officials concerned have been asked to do the needful by April 11, 2019, the date of the next hearing, failing which they will have to appear in court personally to show cause as to why they should not be punished.Verka, principal investigator, Punjab Human Rights Organization (PHRO), said in 2010, he filed the petition against then principal secretary to deputy chief minster Rahul Tiwari, deputy commissioner, Amritsar, Ravi Bhagat, sub-divisional magistrate, Amritsar Sandeep Rishi, Amristsar MC commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal and senior town planner, Amritsar Hemant Batra.Verka sought identification of illegal constructions, including hotels and inns around the Golden Temple and their demolition. The petitioner also sought action against the officer concerned for permitting construction of these buildings and allowing conversion of residential buildings into commercial ones.Not satisfied with compliance reports form the officer concerned, the high court, on March 7, 2014, constituted a special committee, he said. In 2012, he said, the then municipal town planner submitted a list of 105 illegally constructed properties in the walled city and the panel headed by Tiwari submitted a list of 125 illegally constructed buildings. He said the SC charge-sheeted 33 officials of the department and a departmental inquiry was initiated against them by retired judge B C Gupta.Verka said according to PHRO, illegal construction around Golden Temple had increased instead of stopping and this was being done in connivance with officials and businessmen with political patronage. “As per our estimate, there are more than 400 illegally constructed hotels, sarais and guest houses around the Golden Temple,” he said.

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