Masala Chowk: Rajasthan high court issues contempt notice

Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday issued a contempt notice to Chief Secretary DB Gupta, ACS UDH, Jaipur Development Commissioner, Jaipur Municipal Commissioner, PWD Secretary, Principal Secretary of Arts and Culture against the construction of food court- Masala Chowk – at Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur. The petitioner alleged that the construction is in violations of Rajasthan high court orders.

A bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice GR Moolchandani issued the contempt notice after hearing the contempt petition filed by one Ashwini Tiwari.

As per the petitioner, the court had banned the authorities from allowing any commercial activities on this land in April 1994. Also, the food court made on the park premises prior to 2010 was removed as per the orders.

“In an order dated February 23, 2004, Rajasthan high court had earmarked this land for the development of park and green area, but violating this order the authorities developed Masala Chowk,” the petition alleges.

The state government allegedly violated the court orders and approved the construction of Masala chowk in the park premises last year.

The petitioner said that Masala Chowk should be removed from Ramniwas Bagh.

The case of the construction of Masala Chowk on the premises of Ram Niwas Garden reached court earlier also. Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) officials in an answer to contempt said that the food court – Masala Chowk – was developed only after the orders from the court in 1993.

Ram Niwas Bagh is a popular tourist spots of the city with a bird aviary (Z00) and state’s museum located on its premises.

Thousands of tourists visit the park daily. Keeping in view the popularity of the place, the food court was developed.  Also, it has been mentioned in the Garden Act that the park can comprise small shops, added JDA officials.