ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi to demolish all illegal constructions in Murree within five dayswithout taking any influence from any quarters. A three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, also took a suo motu notice against the illegal structures in the federal capital such as wedding halls and marquees etc and directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to submit a detailed list to this effect. The court directed its Human Rights Cell to summon the list from CDA and fix the case for hearing within a day or two. Hearing the suo motu case pertaining to illegal constructions in Murree tehsil, a hill resort, of Rawalpindi district, the court directed the DC to immediately rent out bulldozers and start demolition of illegal constructions and buildings in Murree and complete it within five days. The court also asked the DC to go to Murree and tell the people that anyone, involved in illegal constructions, who wanted to do something, was free to go the court. “You have to fall all illegal constructions, otherwise you will yourself fall,” the chief justice asked the DC. The court inquired the DC about the ownership of illegal constructions and the people behind them and directed him to furnish the details in this regard, preferably by today. The chief justice admonished the DC when he admitted that there were illegal buildings and constructions in Murree. “Why have you been silent spectator over the issue, the chief justice inquired him, adding that your department was responsible for these illegalities and wrong doings.” To a court query, the DC stated that illegal buildings were present in Murree, adding that the illegal constructions increased since 2003. He said dozens of cases were under adjudication before the courts, whereas in dozens of cases, courts had issued stay orders. The court then directed him to also produce the details of cases and stay orders. The chief justice said that he had been seeing the Murree’s Mall Road from his young age to his this older age and directed the DC to also submit a list of the people under whom these illegal structures appeared, adding that these illegal structures were raised with the connivance of responsible department. The court asked the DC not to conceal illegal buildings and constructions due to political reasons or otherwise, adding that if inspection team nominated by the court identified any illegal building then there will be consequences. “You have to prove that the country is run by the rule of law and not by the people’s will,” the chief justice asked the DC and adjourned the hearing till today (Tuesday). Published in Daily Times, January 16th 2018.