KARACHI, Dec 2: A division bench of the Sindh High Court dismissed with costs on Friday a petition moved by a non-governmental organization against a regularized building.
The petitioner, Shelter Hopes Welfare Society, said the structure raised on plot 20, SR-3, Serai Quarters, Karachi, grossly violated the building rules and requested the court to order its demolition. The respondent owner and the Karachi Building Control Authority contested the petition and the latter said in its counter-affidavit that the builder was allowed to construct four storeys in addition to the basement and ground floor.
A violation was committed by the builder, KBCA counsel Shahid Jamil Khan submitted, inasmuch as he also partially built a mezzanine floor between the ground and first floors. On an application moved by the builder, the KBCA, however, regularized the structure in February 2005. The petitioner society vehemently contested the averments made in the respondents’ counter-affidavits and insisted on physical inspection of the building.
The court asked the nazir to visit the site. The inspection report said there were only minor but regularized violations. It also referred to the petitioner society’s lack of interest and failure to pay the inspection fee.
Justices Mushir Alam and Amir Hani Muslim dismissed the petition and asked it to pay Rs10,000 to the SHCBA library by way of costs. The case would be put up before the bench again if the petitioner defaulted on payment of costs.
ORDER RESERVED: Another division bench consisting of Justices M. Mujibullah Siddiqui and Sajjad Ali Shah reserved its order on a petition moved by prominent residents of Bath Island against the construction of a six-storey building in their neighbourhood.
Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Abdur Rehman said the complex built on plot C-61 (earlier C-5) contravened the building regulations. It had been raised without ensuring basic amenities and utilities and in disregard of environmental damage. It also violated the lease conditions and the open space requirement, the lawyer said.nazim gets bail: A division bench of the High Court of Sindh comprising Justice Muhammad Afzal Soomro and Rehmat Hussain Jafferi on Friday admitted Taluka Nazim of Shikarpur Zafar Ali to pre-arrest interim bail against a surety of Rs100,000 and personal bond in the like amount till Dec 8, APP adds.
He was accused in a case of encounter with police, attempt to kill police officials and for spreading terror.
The applicant maintained that he was implicated in false cases for political vendetta.
The bench admitted him to pre-arrest interim bail.
