Deekshabhoomi development: PIL claims ‘callous attitude’ by authorities, HC seeks details on current status, estimated completion of work

A division bench of Justice Nitin W Sambre and Justice Abhay J Mantri on December 13 passed an order in the PIL filed by advocate Shailesh Ramaji Narnaware, pertaining to overall development of Deeksha Bhoomi.

The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, on December 13, directed authorities supervising works for overall Rs 200-crore development of Deekshabhoomi area to provide details on the current status and schedule within which the said work shall be completed. Deekshabhoomi is the place where Dr BR Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with lakhs of followers.

HC was told by the PIL petitioner that execution of development work lacked momentum as his plea was pending in HC for five years and authorities have shown a ‘callous attitude’. The HC, after the lawyer of the supervising authority was unable to demonstrate the schedule for completion of the project, granted it four weeks time to file an affidavit as a last chance.

A division bench of Justice Nitin W Sambre and Justice Abhay J Mantri on December 13 passed an order in the PIL filed by advocate Shailesh Ramaji Narnaware, pertaining to overall development of Deeksha Bhoomi. The state government had issued a Government Resolution on March 31 this year, approving development work to the tune of Rs 100 crores decided in the meeting held on March 27, 2018. Thereafter, considering the monument’s social importance, the state government augmented the funds to Rs 200.31 crore.

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HC was informed that the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) has been executing development work in the precinct of the Deekshabhoomi and a work order was issued on October 20, this year in favour of a successful bidder. However, Narnaware said the execution of the work lacks momentum despite the pendency of this PIL for the last five years, and authorities have shown a callous attitude in implementing the project.

When HC confronted advocate GA Kunte on the NMRDA issue, he was unable to give the schedule within which the project shall be completed or the current status of the same. Kunte sought time to provide details, which the court granted by way of a last chance to file such an affidavit before the next hearing on January 17, 2024.

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