LAHORE: Hearing a case of high-rise buildings in the city on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had the owner of Salaar Plaza arrested for not depositing fine, observing that the court would not allow lawlessness in the country.
The plaza owner, Rana Naeem, was fined Rs 50 million for illegal construction but he gave a cheque which was dishonoured by the bank concerned.
The court issued him the contempt notice and directed to deposit the amount to avoid being arrested.
He appeared before the court but failed to deposit the amount, even after the court granted him one more hour to do.
The court, therefore, had him arrested, observing that his building was constructed illegally and the illegal constructions were to be demolished.
Old Anarkali police arrested Rana Naeem and took him to the police station.
We are the custodian of the rights of people of Pakistan and can not allow the culture of lawlessness to flourish in the society,î observed Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman, who was heading the full bench.
The bench adjourned the further proceedings till the first week of October.
The court during the last date of hearing had ordered the Punjab government and the Lahore Development Authority to submit building-wise report and recommendation about further line of action against 1,500 to 2,000 buildings built in violation of rules and regulations, besides pinpointing out those buildings whose illegalities could be condoned and those which could not be condoned. A commission appointed by the court submitted reports about these buildings.
