Islamabad-The Islamabad High Court yesterday granted more time to Capital Development Authority to submit report against its own official who permitted Safa Gold Mall to construct seven storeys instead of the approved building plan of four storeys.
A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq conducted hearing in the petition seeking de-sealing of Safa Gold Mall. After accepting the civic body’s plea seeking more time from the court to submit inquiry report against its own official, the IHC bench deferred the hearing till September 19.
During the hearing, a person who is constructing cinema house at the 8th storey of the same building moved an application to become a party in this matter. The bench also issued notices to the CDA and owner of Safa Gold Mall on the said application.
It was August 5 when the same IHC bench at the writ petition of Safa Gold Mall, through an interim order, had conditionally permitted the mall to de-seal subject to a payment of Rs 220 million payable to the CDA and removal of all encroachments in surroundings of the mall area.
Besides payment of outstanding amount, the IHC bench had also directed the mall administration to vacate within two months the offices established in two basements of the mall that were originally meant for car parking. The bench further directed to vacate all the encroached surrounding areas within 3 days where mall administration has placed electricity generators.
It was July 28 when the CDA had sealed the mall in the Jinnah Super Market for violating building codes and the original layout plan. Later, a civil judge of Islamabad had dismissed petition of the Safa Gold Mall’s administration seeking de-sealing of the building on July 30. Then, the mall’s administration filed an appeal with IHC that was heard on Friday.
During the hearing, the CDA informed the court that mall owner not only construed two storeys in violation of the approved layout plan but has also encroached upon the surrounding area after covering an adjacent nullah where he installed heavy generators and air-conditioning plant.
The civic body further stated that original area of the building is 3,177 square yards and building plan was approved for a four-storey building whereas the mall administration has constructed 7 storeys.
On the other hand, the mall administration had contended that they got an approval of seven storeys from CDA. The IHC bench then directed CDA to submit an inquiry report before the court in this matter.