CANTONMENT BOARD AND ANR.

MOHANLAL AND ANR.

JANUARY 2, 1996

[K. RAMASWAMY AND G.B. PATTANAIK, JJ.] B

Cantonment Act, 1924 :

,.,, S. 85, 184, 185, 256--{Jnauthorised construction-Demolition of-issue of notices-independent enquiry-l{eld not necessary-Action of cantonc men! Board held justified and not violative of principles of natural justice.

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 1470ofl981.

From the Judgment and Order dated 5.11.79 of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Misc. P. No. 902 of 1975.

~ P.N. Lekhi and M.K. Garg for the Appellants.

~ O.P. Sharma, R.C. Gubrele, K.R. Gupta, Vivek Sharma, Ashok Sudan and Ms. Nanita Sharma for the Respondents.

The following Order of the Court was delivered : E

This appeal by special leave arises from the orderof the Division Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Misc. Petition No. 2090175 passed on November 5, 1979, filed under Art. 226 of the Constitution. The admitted facts are that the appellant had issued a notice on March 27, 1993 under Section 85 of the Cantonment Act, 1924 (for short, 'the Act') to the respondent for F demolition of the construction made in the property now in controversy. _The !st respondent had received the notice on May 2, 1973, but he carried out ' further construction. However, notice under Section 256 was issued on Janu- ; ary 3, 1974 and sec?nd notice ultimately was issued for den101ition on September 13, 1974 under Section 185. The !st respondent had submitted his re- G ply on October 30, 1974. The area committee on December 7, 1974, passed .. resolution after considering the representation made by the !st respondent to give 15 days time for compliance of the notice dated March 27, 1973 and September 13, 1974 and in case he does not comply with the same it further resolved to have the structure demolished through the agency of the Board.

Calling this action in question the respondent had filed the above writ petition H 1

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[ 1996] I S.C.R. in the High Court. The Division Bench has h.eld that though Section 185 read with 5th Schedule does not contemplate any enquiry being conducted or reasons to be recorded, principle of natural justice require that the Board is to consider the representation since it is an offence under Section 184 and principles of natural justice require that necessary notice and opportunity of hearing be given and after consideration of the representation speaking order is required to be passed. Since the speaking order had not been passed the action of the respondent was in violation of the law.

The only question in this case is whether the view taken by the High Court is good in law. !tis seen that the respondent in his reply had admitted that they constructed, as pointed out by the Cantonment Board in its notice dated September 13, 1974, and the previous notice. But he stated that he had done it bona fide and as he would not demolish it but requested the authority to reconsider the matter and withdraw the notice. In other words, he admitted that he had carried on illegal construction without compliance with law. So the question is whether enquiry in that behalf is required to be conducted. We are D of the considered view that the High Court was not right in its conclusion that an independent enquiry requires to be held after the notice was issued and the

reply thereof was given by the respondent. •

It is seen that the Cantonment Board is an elected body represented by people themselves. When oppo1tunity was given putting on notice of illegal construction made by the respondent, reply thereof was given. The Board had considered the representation and was not inclined to accede to the request made by the respondent. Accordingly, the resolution passed by the Cantonment Board cannot be faulted as violative of the principles of natural Justice.

However, Shri Lekhi, learned counsel appearing for the appellants stated that the action taken by the respondent can be condoned provided he complies with the law. In view of the stand taken by the appellants, it would be open to the respondent to make a representation to the Board which would forward the same to General Officer Commanding in Chief at Sagar who would pass an appropriate order according to law.

The appeal is accordingly allowed. No Costs.

G.N.

Appeal aliowed.