The Sindh High Court (SHC) division bench on Friday ordered Chief Controller of Building (CCOB), Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) to take immediate action against illegal construction on plot CT 5/4,5, Old Town, Mithadar, here.
The bench comprising Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Syed Zawwar Hussain Jaffery also directed the CCOB to submit a report within two weeks in consonance with orders passed SHC on 17-11-1996.
The bench was hearing a constitution petition filed by Shaukat Ali Qadri, owner of Qadri Ice cream, Mithadar adjacent to the disputed building, which was constructed upto seven floors without approval from the KBCA.
Earlier, Deputy Controller Building Saddar Town submitted a compliance report annexing a notice to the builder/owner/occupant Abdul Razzak. The notice required of respondent Abdul Razzak to deposit Rs 1,660,676 as regularisation fee for regularising the illegal construction.
The report invited the wrath of the bench which "deplored" the attitude of the concerned Deputy Controller.
The bench noted that since 1996, the SHC had been issuing orders for action as per law against the illegal construction, and even CCOB were summoned by the SHC on account of non compliance of orders of the Court.
The court expressed annoyance that on a direction to take action against the KBCA officials who were hand in glove with the builder in raising illegal construction were awarded a minimum punishment.
The court termed the action against the KBCA officials as "mere eye wash" and asked the CCOB to take appropriate action without any further delay.
The bench directed the CCOB to comply with the judgement by the SHC dated 17-11-1996 and other orders passed by the SHC bench from time to time in the matter.