On Tuesday, personnel from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) took swift action to demolish an unauthorized structure built by the management of a petrol bunk in Lawson’s Bay Colony, along Visakhapatnam’s scenic beach road. This action was in response to a Supreme Court order mandating the removal of all occupants from the century-old Shanti Ashram’s land by mid-October.
The Shanti Ashram, which owns 10 acres of prime land in Vizag, had been embroiled in a long-standing legal dispute over the property. Six acres of this land had been leased out for commercial use, including a food court, shops, and the petrol bunk. Following an appeal by the ashram, the Supreme Court ordered the land to be vacated by September 30, 2024. When some occupants requested additional time, the court extended the deadline to October 15, 2024, but denied any further extensions.
Jana Sena Party leader and GVMC corporator, P.L.N. Murthy Yadav, flagged the recent construction as a violation of the court order. “How could the GVMC authorities approve a construction plan when the Supreme Court has ordered occupants to vacate the land?” he questioned, citing the urgency of adhering to the court’s directive.
Shanti Ashram management committee president, M.N. Aditya, shared insights into the historical context. Originally, 6.4 acres of the land were gifted by ashram founder Omkar Swamiji to his disciple, Yogi Raghavendra, in 1949 under the condition that the space would serve spiritual and naturopathic purposes. However, Raghavendra did not fulfill these conditions and instead pursued commercial activities. A dispute over the property ensued, resulting in the recent Supreme Court ruling.
As of now, GVMC continues its efforts to enforce the court’s directive, ensuring that all unauthorized constructions are removed to preserve the sanctity of Shanti Ashram’s land.
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