Hotel owner Jyotsana Jhala conversing with UMC officials during the seizure

An allegedly unlawful construction of a hotel in no-construction zone at Ambavgarh is still in progress even despite being under seizure by municipal authorities.

According to officials, the hotel is owned in the name of Jyotsana Jhala, wife of Satpal singh Dodiya. The hotel was first seized in Mid-April and according to the law, the property stays sealed for 45 days once seized. The hotel was seized again for unlawful construction on 1^st June 2012.

After a series of applications by Ambavgarh residents, Khalil Ahmed and his brother, who also gave district collector a memo today to look into the affairs, have threatened going on an indefinite hunger strike.

The encroachment and unlawful construction squad of Udaipur Municipal Council (UMC) that arrived at the site today saw construction at the seized asset progressing tightlipped. Authorities have instructed the owner to stop the activity or face legal actions.

A standing order was issued today to related junior engineer (J.En.) by M.L. Samar, Revenue Officer of Udaipur Municipal Council to look after the seized asset.

District authorities had sealed all the hotels and private property after the High Court’s declaration of Ambavgarh as no-construction zone 18 months back.

Meanwhile, Jhala and Ahmed have accused each other of harassments and blackmails.

“We have been threatened multiple times and the hotel-owners talk of being immune because of strong connections with Mahendra ji Shekhawat” stated Khalil Ahmed. Mahendra Shekhawat is vice-chairperson of UMC.

Ahmed further added that construction is only momentarily halted when authorities are at the spot and resumes again just as they leave.

Jyotsana Jhala, while speaking in her defense said, “We are facing such obstructions only because I had brought stay to Mr. Ahmed’s house last November. I have been repeatedly been blackmailed by the residents of slum.”

Shailendra Paliwal also contributed in this news