Court order to remove Narendra Rawat and Ami Rawat as parties in a Rs 1,100 crore defamation suit: Case in connection with alleged encroachment of Vishwamitri river and fight against the Agora project; proceedings under Rule-10(2) of the CPC Order-1

Ahmedabad, Sep 30 (IANS) A city civil court in Ahmedabad has ordered the removal of state Congress spokesperson Narendra Rawat and former Leader of Opposition Ami Rawatas parties in a Rs 1,100 crore defamation and compensation suit filed in connection with the alleged encroachment of the Vishwamitri river and a dispute related to Vadodara's Agora project, their lawyers said.

According to the information received, the case was filed before the city civil court in Ahmedabad seeking defamation, compensation of Rs 1,100 crore and a stay order. A petition was filed on behalf of Narendra Rawat and Ami Rawat seeking removal of their names from the suit. During the hearing of the petition, after the arguments of both the parties, the court ordered the removal of Narendra Rawat and Ami Rawat from the plaintiffs under Order-1 Rule-10(2) of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC ).

What is the issue of pressure of the Vishwamitri river?

According to a statement issued by Narendra Rawat and Ami Rawat, they have been making representations and protesting since 2016 on the alleged encroachments on the banks of the Vishwamitri river in the Sama-Sanjay Nagar area of Vadodara and the issue related to the Agora project. According to their claims, about 1 lakh square feet of land was allegedly encroached upon in the riverbed and ravine area. They had long made representations against the constructions including clubhouses, guesthouses and offices built on this land. The statement also claimed that on September 27, 2024, action was taken by the municipal administration to remove the alleged illegal constructions associated with the agora and the land was taken over by the municipality.

The issue of floods and Vishwamitri river is also under discussion: The statement of the Rawat family also mentioned the flood and waterlogged situation in Vadodara city during the year 2024. According to him, he had long cited the alleged pressures of the Vishwamitri river as one of the reasons for the flood-like situation in the city. He raised the issue of the retaining wall allegedly constructed in the river bed and the construction in the ravine area, the statement said. It also claimed that structures such as clubhouses, guesthouses and offices were removed during the municipal proceedings.

Claim action against several people over Rs 1,100 crore claim: According to the statement, a case was filed in the city civil court in Ahmedabad against Narendra Rawat and Ami Rawat and other persons associated with political and public life on behalf of the Agora builder/developer with defamation and a compensation demand of Rs 1,100 crore . The statement mentions case number CS CCC/1500/2021. Also, a criminal case number CC/3/2022 has also been mentioned in the Kalol Taluka Court.

 Reacting to the court's order, Narendra Rawat and Ami Rawat said in a statement that their fight on the issue of Vishwamitri river and environment had been going on for a long time. They described the fight as a fight against corruption and alleged illegal pressure. At the same time, the struggle for Vadodara will continue with the demand to remove other alleged pressures on the Vishwamitri river.

Serious allegations regarding the housing scheme: Rawat's statement also made various allegations regarding the housing scheme implemented in the Sanjay Nagar area. According to the statement, questions were raised about the land of about 4.50 lakh square feet and its market value. The statement claimed that under the scheme to provide houses to around 800 beneficiaries, the developer was likely to get huge financial benefits related to the land. Rawat and Ami Rawat are also said to have made representations in this regard to the then political leaders and municipal officials. However, the above figures and allegations regarding economic benefits, land value, project cost and alleged irregularities have been presented only as claims made by Rawat and Ami Rawat.

Representations from 2019 and subsequent pressure removal action: According to the statement, on August 4, 2019, a visit was made to the Agora Mall area along with Congress leaders. It is also said that a representation has also been made in the Assembly regarding the construction and alleged pressure on the banks of the Vishwamitri river. Later, after the flooding in the Vishwamitri river and the situation created in the city, the action to remove the pressure on the river was expedited by the administration. According to the statement available, notices were issued to various units and the action to remove the pressure related to the wall of the Agora Mall and the clubhouse was initiated amidst the police bandobast.

What's next after the court order?

The court's order to remove Narendra Rawat and Ami Rawat as parties under Rule 10(2) of the CPC Order-1 in a Rs 1,100 crore suit is an important stage in the entire dispute. However, the statement made available did not specify whether the order led to a final decision on the other parties to the original defamation suit or other issues of the suit. In the entire matter, the protection of the Vishwamitri river, the alleged pressures, the action of the municipality and the defamation suit – all these issues will now have to be looked at in the context of court records and the relevant official documents.