GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court criticised the Assam government on Sunday, November 17, for submitting an affidavit in an "informal and casual manner" during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). This affidavit concerns the controversial establishment of an amusement park in Gandhibagh Park, Silchar.
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The affidavit, filed by senior officials from the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Urban Development Department, failed to address the court's pointed questions, merely restating facts which were already known to the parties involved.
A divisional bench comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam expressed disappointment over the government’s lax approach. “It is a very unfortunate state of affairs that when this Court has directed the State Government to clarify its stand, a supplementary affidavit is filed on behalf of the State in a very casual manner,” the bench observed.
The Court’s earlier order on May 30, had instructed the State to provide clarity on the matter. Despite being granted additional time, the affidavit filed on September 5 did not satisfy the Court.
“We are only left with the option of directing the State Government to file an affidavit to clarify its stand by the next date of hearing. We make it clear that if the State fails to clarify its stand in this matter, this Court will be bound to summon the secretaries of the respective departments to appear before this Court,” the bench warned.
Filed by aggrieved citizens, the PIL challenges the decision of the Silchar Municipal Council to permit Assam Progressive Developers Limited for developing a pastime park in Gandhibagh Park. The petitioners argue that the transformation of the public park into an amusement facility could harm its original purpose and detrimentally affect the public interest.
Additionally, allegations of irregularities and illegalities in granting the permission were further raised.