The director of municipalities will pass a verdict in connection with the removal of Dhanera nagarpalika president Prembhai Tarak of the BJP, over the issue of alleged encroachment of government land, on Monday.

According to the details of the case, Popatlal Joshi from Dhanera in Banaskantha district, a former president of the nagarpalika, had moved a petition before the Director of Municipalities Sonal Mishra demanding that Tarak along with another councillor of the nagarpalika, Dajabhai Patel, be removed under the provisions of the Municipalities Act. Joshi had alleged that the two office- bearers had encroached upon government land.

Joshi told Newsline: “I had moved the petition before the director of municipalities six months ago, who had then issued showcause notices to Tarak and Patel and even held a hearing. But they have been delaying the process of issuing an order on various pretexts. So I moved the High Court for a legal remedy.”

Following Joshi’s petition, Justice D A Mehta of the Gujarat High Court ordered Mishra to personally remain present before the court, early this month. The court also asked Mishra to finish the process of hearing on Joshi’s complaint and issue an order in accordance with law, within a fortnight.

Mishra said: “As per the High Court order, I have to give the verdict by July 22. I have finished looking into the details of the case papers and will hold the final hearing and give the verdict accordingly, on Monday.”

Mishra refused to say anything on the matter, saying the verdict will be delivered on Monday. Joshi further said: “Dhanera is likely to be named as a model nagarpalika of Banaskantha district. But its president is the one who is encroaching upon government land. So I demanded that he and the other councillor be removed in public interest.”

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