Vacate community centre in Patrakar Colony: HC to JDA

Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court has directed the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) to vacate the Patrakar Colony Community Centre and restore it for public use, holding that premises meant for public utility services cannot be occupied for office establishments. In an order dated Feb 12, the court advised the JDA to shift its office either to rented accommodations or to any available government building.Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta were hearing a petition by a resident of Patrakar Colony.
The court directed the JDA to place on record, by the next date of hearing listed for March 16, a clear and specific timeline for shifting the office and vacating the community centre. Noting that the JDA's affidavit itself reflected how it had taken over the community centre and established its office there, the court held that such a facility in a housing colony is meant for public utilization and cannot be converted into an office. The court rejected the JDA's objection that the petitioner lacked standing, observing that every citizen has the right to bring illegality by a state authority to the court's notice. In its affidavit, the civic body had stated that JDA deputy commissioner, Prithviraj Nagar (South), was earlier operating from a building owned by the Housing Board at Mansarovar Sector-12. In June, 2024, that building was ordered to be vacated to facilitate the development of a satellite hospital and an urban community health centre (UCHC). Following this direction, the JDA office was temporarily shifted to the Patrakar Colony Community Centre, with a proposal to identify land for a dedicated zonal office and shift there, the JDA's affidavit added.