Jai Mangla Harijan Kalyan Samiti vs State Of Orissa & Ors
- SCC(1997) 4 SCC 444
- Neutral1997 INSC 216
- SCR[1997] 2 SCR 623
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
A hospital authority has power to remove encroachments and unauthorised structures located within the campus of a hospital in order to maintain hygienic conditions, and such removal is a lawful exercise of that power. Where encroachments are situated outside the hospital campus, removal cannot be justified under an order directed at clearing encroachments within the campus, and persons whose structures are genuinely located outside the campus retain the right to challenge any action taken against them by approaching the High Court with material evidence of their actual location.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
O R D E R Leave granted. We have heard learned counsel on both side.
These appeals, bu special leave, arise from the orders of the Orissa High Court, made on March 12, 1996 and September 2, 1966 in OJC Nos. 1415/96 and 9123/96 respectively. The High Rout in the impugned order has directed as under:
"We direct the concerned authorities to locate and remove all the encroachments inside the campus within three months from today. If necessary, assistance of the police shall be taken for such remove,. The Superintendent of Police in his affidavit has stated that in case police assistance is necessary, same shall be provided."
It is contended for the appellants that their tenements are situated outside the campus, but taking aid of the order passed by the High Court they are being forcibly ejected. It is stated by Mr. P.N. Misra, counsel appearing for the State, that action is being taken for ejectment of all those who have trespassed and put up tenements within the compound of the hospital and no action has been taken, vis-a-vis those who are having the tenements outside the campus. In view of the specific stand taken by the Government, apprehension of the appellants that they would be ejected, if their tenements are really outside the campus, is unfounded. It is, therefore, made clear that the order of the High Court is perfectly correct as regards the ejectment of all those encroacher having unauthorised huts etc. Within the campus of the hospital which is required to maintain hygienic conditions. Therefore, the action taken and the directions issued are perfectly in order. If any such action is taken, vis-a-vis those who are residing outside the campus by taking advantage of the order passed by the High Court, it would be open to them to go to High Court and place the necessary material before the High Court for consideration. The High Court would into the individual cases and pass appropriate order according to law.
The appeals are accordingly disposed of. No costs.
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