Srinagar: J&K High Court has directed the government to consider renewal of the registration of the Sumo Stand Dak Banglow Khanabal (Anantnag) and also ensure rehabilitation of the people associated with it at an identified place.
The petitioner taxi operators sought a direction commanding the authorities to allow them to use and occupy the land under survey number 1104 situated at Khanabal Anantnag for the running the Sumo stand without any interruption.
The petitioner operators informed the court “the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag and Assistant Commissioner, Revenue Anantnag, are hell-bent to convert the allotted land into their official interest and enclose the land of the petitioners Sumo Stand with the residence of Deputy Commissioner.”
They said that this will be affecting their rights and livelihood of the petitioners, their families and public in general.
The petitioners submitted through their counsel that inaction by respondents — Transport Commissioner and Additional Transport Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir — regarding renewal of registration of Sumo Taxi Stand, despite completion of all formalities and clearances, has forced them to approach the court as their rights are being violated by these officers.
The additional advocate general submitted “reasons of security and blocking of the road by the taxi operators compelled the respondent authorities to re-locate the Sumo Stand at a distance of 200 meters from the present place, therefore, the renewal of registration shall be considered for re-located place”.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey after hearing the parties directed the government to “consider renewal of the registration of the Sumo Stand operators in tune with the mandate of the law, rules and policy of the government”.
While doing so, the respondent authorities have been asked to ensure rehabilitation of the petitioner’ Association at identified place as per their stand taken in the affidavit filed before the court.
Justice Magray observed “the court has to place the cause of justice by ensuring that the rights of the parties does not got defeated, but in the present case, the respondents while taking care of the security, law and order, have also to ensure re-location and rehabilitation of the petitioners association; therefore, there is no issue of defeating the cause of justice and rights of petitioners association”.
