On HC order, MC tells ex-Mayor to remove father's statue from chowk in Rohtak

The Municipal Corporation has served a notice to former Rohtak Mayor and BJP leader Manmohan Goel for the removal of a statue of his father and late minister Seth Sri Krishan Das, which has been installed at Sonepat Stand Chowk in Rohtak city.

"You are informed by this notice that by placing a statue on public road, you have illegally encroached upon the land of the Municipal Corporation without its permission. The statue (should) be removed within seven days of the receipt of this notice, failing which legal action will be taken against you," states the notice issued under Section 408(A) of the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act.

The action comes after a Division Bench, comprising Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, ordered the Rohtak Municipal Corporation to follow the Supreme Court's ruling regarding installation of statues on public land.

"Accordingly, we direct respondent No. 4 – Municipal Corporation, Rohtak, to follow the rule of law, as laid down by the apex court, and submit compliance report," states the order.

The order had come on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a local resident seeking the removal of the statue of the late minister.

The statue was installed at Sonipat Stand Chowk in Rohtak while his son Manmohan Goel was the Mayor of Rohtak. Devender Sharma, a resident of Rohtak district, filed a PIL in the High Court, maintaining that the installation of the statue violated Supreme Court's directions in this regard.

Contacted for his comments, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dharmender Singh said he had sought legal advice from the office of the state Advocate-General.

"We are waiting for their advice and will take appropriate action accordingly," he said.

Meanwhile, the former Mayor has filed an application with the Punjab and Haryana High Court for impleading as a respondent in the case.