Lucknow, Nov 12 (PTI) The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) on Thursday began demolishing the house of Rishabh Shukla, the accused in the triple murder case in Saadatganj, after a survey found that most of the structure stood on Nazul land, officials said.
The demolition is being carried out jointly by teams of the LDA, district administration, police and the municipal corporation, they said.
The action comes nearly three weeks after three members of a family were shot dead following a dispute over parking a car on a vacant plot in the Brahmani Tola locality of Saadatganj on October 26.
The victims were identified as Shivaji Tiwari, an RSS functionary serving as district sahkaryawah in Lucknow, his brother Shivendra Tiwari (55) and Shivendra’s son Suyash Tiwari (30).
“Demolition is underway. The survey confirmed that most of the area was on Nazul land, following which the action has been initiated,” LDA Vice Chairman Prathamesh Kumar told PTI.
He said a portion of the structure encroaching upon the road had been demolished earlier, following which the authority conducted a detailed survey of the property.
“The demolition will be completed by tonight,” Kumar said.
LDA Secretary Sushil Pratap Singh said the property involved illegal construction on Nazul land and the demolition was being carried out following due legal procedure.
“Notices were issued and an order was passed against the illegal construction after proper hearing. We are implementing the court’s order,” Singh said.
He said the area being covered by the demolition action was approximately 4,000 square feet.
The police arrested six people, including prime accused Rishabh Shukla (29) in connection with the killings. An illegal pistol and ammunition were recovered from his possession, the police said.
The LDA initiated action against the property following allegations by the victims’ family that the house stood on encroached Nazul land. The authority had earlier sealed the house and demolished its boundary wall, citing unauthorised construction and the absence of an approved building plan.
On October 28, the LDA removed an encroachment on the Nazul land and said the remaining structure was being measured to determine the extent of the unauthorised construction.
The killings had triggered protests by BJP and RSS workers, who demanded justice for the victims, strict action against the accused and demolition of the house.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak met the bereaved family and assured a fast-track trial, action under the National Security Act (NSA), lifelong security for the family and a government job for a member. The government also promised to bear the educational expenses of the victim’s daughter.
Two police personnel, including the Saadatganj station house officer (SHO), were suspended following the incident.
According to the officials, Nazul land is government-owned land, generally acquired or taken over by the government during the British colonial period, which is not directly managed as ordinary government revenue land.
However, Nazul land does not necessarily mean encroached land. A property may be legally leased by the government to a private individual, but unpermitted construction over it by the lessee is taken as a violation of rules. PTI MAN KIS KSS
KSS
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