Maya's mission demolition hits 'Sahara Shahar'

MAYA RAAJ: The PWD and LDA were reportedly acting on Mayawati's instructions.

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Lucknow: Apparently on the directives of the Uttar Pradesh government, a team of Lucknow Development Authority and PWD on Wednesday demolished the outer walls and a watch tower of 'Sahara Shahar'.

The drive - which started late in the evening to remove alleged encroachments by Sahara - continued till late night in the presence of heavy police and PAC personnel.

The drive was supervised by LDA Vice-Chairman Ram Bhadur.

"We are planning to construct a 30-m wide road alongside 'Sahara Shahar' but walls illegally built by the Sahara group was creating hindrance in the project. We asked them to remove the wall themselves but they failed do so " an LDA official told PTI.

While over a dozen bulldozers were busy in demolishing the huge walls, a number of lawyers tried to stop the drive, claiming they have a stay order from Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court.

"We have the stay order from the High Court in the 'Sahara Shahar' matter but defying court order the authorities demolished the wall and that too at night. This is contempt of court," Mohd Zeeshan of Sahara corporate communication told PTI.

After getting feelers that LDA was planning to demolish, Sahara authorities had on Tuesday demolished a portion of the wall.