New Delhi: The Gir Somnath District Collector on Tuesday justified the demolition of illegal structures in the region, stating that they were located on public land adjacent to the Arabian Sea. In a counter-affidavit to the Supreme Court, Collector Digvijaysinh Jadeja asserted that the recent demolition did not violate a previous ruling of the apex court.

The affidavit states, “The said encroachments are on Government lands abutting a water body, being the Arabian Sea; and, therefore, the action of the Respondents clearly falls within the exceptions carved out by this Hon’ble Court, in its Order dated 17.09.2024 … The removal of encroachments has been part of a continuous drive undertaken by the Revenue authorities of District Gir Somnath to ensure that the valuable Government land abutting the waterfront (Arabia Sea) is freed-up of encroachments … the Respondent authorities have acted in accordance with law; and have not committed any contempt of any orders of this Hon’ble Court,” the affidavit said.

In his affidavit, Jadeja offered an ‘unconditional, unqualified, bona fide, and sincere’ apology for any supposed contemptuous behavior on his part, but he argued that the petitioner had mischaracterized the issue by giving it a communal perspective.

“It is unfortunate that the Petitioner, in the captioned Petition, has given a communal colour to the work performed by the Respondents, which is far from the truth, as would be evident from what is submitted herein after” the affidavit stated.

Additionally, the Collector noted that the petitioner has not approached the court in good faith, as a similar petition has also been submitted to the Gujarat High Court.

The Bench of Justices BR Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan adjourned the matter by three weeks to enable the petitioners to file a rejoinder to the affidavit. DeshGujarat