High Court Halts Demolition of Buildings in Pokhara Buspark Area

Pokhara. The High Court Pokhara has issued a short-term order not to demolish the houses in the buspark area of Prithvi Chowk. Local Yugandevi Shrestha Palikhe from the buspark area had filed a writ petition making the Kaski District Administration Office and others respondents.

Hearing the writ of mandamus, the court has scheduled a hearing for Jestha 26 for discussions between both parties regarding an interim order. Shrestha has filed a petition not to demolish the house located at plot number 46 of the buspark and other physical structures. A single bench of Justice Tej Narayan Singh Rai has ordered to keep the structures in their current state until a final decision is made on the case.

Following the court's order, Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya has argued that it is wrong to obstruct the development campaign by seeking the court's intervention. 'The court's journey is only until we don't respond. Your settings might have worked yesterday, but they won't now,' he said. 'After the investigation, please wait to see if your land is 9 meters or 18 meters. The investigation results will reveal whether the plot you have been claiming as yours is actually yours.' He accused the landowners of agreeing to demolition at the metropolis and then going to court. 'Speaking one thing at the metropolis and then seeking the court's help to stop the work is definitely not the right path,' he added.

The court has ordered the respondents to submit a written response within 15 days. The metropolis had made internal preparations to bring in the bulldozer on the 25th. He advises those doing business by paying rent not to get involved for the vested interests and protection of the landlords. 'When anyone files a petition in court, issuing an order to summon both parties in the initial stage is a normal legal process,' he says. 'This is not a final decision for all time. Do not be misled.' Acharya urged support for this campaign for the long-term benefit of Pokhara, organized urban development, and citizen convenience, stating that the metropolis has already provided sufficient time and information.

The committee formed for the management of landless and homeless families has already submitted its report to the metropolis. Mayor Acharya shared that preparations for resettlement with infrastructure in alternative locations are in the final stages. The committee has submitted a report suggesting that landless people can be managed in 6 places in Pokhara. Most recently, the metropolis had urged to vacate public, government, and unused land by issuing a 35-day notice on Jestha 4.