Chandigarh, March 20
In a landmark judgement, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the state of Punjab and other respondents to remove all unauthorised constructions, including marriage palaces, within 1000 yards of Baddowal Army ammunition dump on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur road.

Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr. Justice N.K. Sud also asked Punjab’s Chief Secretary to inquire into the failure of the district authorities and the police in taking preventive steps at the relevant time.

Delivering the verdict, the Judges also directed that the process of removal should be completed “at the earliest — not later than one year”. They further asked the Chief Secretary to take suitable action against the erring officials after fixing responsibility. He was also asked to complete the probe within six months and file the action taken report by September 30. The operation of the order was, however, stayed by the Judges for two weeks to enable the petitioners to file an appeal before the apex court.

In their detailed order, the Judges observed: “Indeed lessons have to be learnt from the great devastations caused by the ammunition blaze that erupted a few months back at the Bharatpur ordnance depot in Rajasthan and another one at Dehu Road near Pune, a few days later. Any laxity or indulgence shown to the petitioners shall not only endanger defence installations but would also be a threat to the people living in Ludhiana”.

The Judges added: “If a similar incident were to happen at the ammunition depot in Baddowal, the loss of life and property would be many times more keeping in view the density of population there. Must the authorities wait for an event to happen before they decide to take preventive steps”?