Pipariya (Madhya Pradesh): Additional session judge II, Archana Raghuwanshi, has imposed a fine of over Rs 22 crore on six hotels in Pachmarhi.
The court imposed the fine for building hotels instead of houses. The Cantonment Board of Pachmarhi filed six petitions, saying they had given permission for building houses. But some people built hotels.
The executive officer of the Cantonment Board filed the petitions. The Supreme Court imposed a ban on any kind of construction in Pachmarhi.
Pachmarhi is located inside Satpura Tiger Reserve. Repairing of houses is only allowed in this place. Many hotels have been constructed in the area in the name of repairing houses.
The businessmen constructed hotels instead of houses. The Cantonment Board, however, never prevented businessmen from constructing hotels in the residential area.
A piece of information that 395 acres will be declared a revenue area went viral. It is said that the state cabinet passed the proposal for it to stop buying land in Pachmarhi. Once the area comes under the revenue department, it will be declared an eco-sensitive zone.
Hotels to pay fine
The court has imposed a fine on the following hotels. According to lawyer of the Cantonment Board Jitendra Kothari, a sum of Rs 3.72 crore has been imposed on Hotel Himalaya. Similarly, a sum of Rs 3.72 crore has been imposed on Hotel Five Ashish.
Hotel Saket has to pay Rs 3.72 crore. On the other hand, Hotel Balaji has to pay Rs 3.72 crore. Hotel Gulmohor will pay Rs 3.72 crore. Hotel Gokul Dham has to pay Rs 3.72 crore. Each hotel owner has to pay Rs 1,00,000 separately.
