City Reports

Raj high court directs government to shut down rooftop restaurants in Jaipur

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November 19, 2019, 9:55 am

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rajasthan high court

Rajasthan high court. Image credit: Post staff

Jaipur: The Rajasthan high court on Monday directed the government to shut down all the rooftop restaurants operating in multi-storey buildings of Jaipur and the rest of the state. The court said that the rooftop restaurants were illegal because they can’t be given an NOC as per the orders issued by the self-governance department of the Rajasthan government.

The court asked the government to shut down rooftop restaurants even if they have an NOC. The court directed the government to submit a compliance report on December 18.

The court issued these directions on a petition filed by Kafka Restaurant administration. The restaurants had been sealed by the JMC following an LPG cylinder blast in September.  There are about 170 rooftop restaurants operating in Jaipur alone. The majority of them don’t have necessary permits and NOC.

The petitioners had argued that the rooftop restaurant was not illegal as the JMC had given permission for business activities up to eighth floor of the building.

The double bench of Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Mahendra Goyal referred to an order issued by the self-governance department in January, 2018 which states that any kind of business activity can not be allowed on a rooftop.

The high court said that the JMC permission was in line with this order, so the operation of a rooftop restaurant was illegal.

In response to the HC order, the JMC officials said that a drive against rooftop restaurants in Jaipur will be launched from Tuesday and all the restaurants will be closed.

“We are asking the zonal commissioners to issue notices to rooftop restaurants and bars and ensure compliance within seven days,” said a senior JMC officer.

First published: November 19, 2019