The Andhra Pradesh high court on Wednesday took serious note of the illegal constructions undertaken allegedly by a firm headed by Neha Reddy, daughter of former Rajya Sabha member V Vijay Sai Reddy at Bheemili Beach in Visakhapatnam.
The court expressed its anger over the construction of a wall in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
It directed the formation of a committee with officials from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to assess the environmental damage caused by the illegal wall.
The judge also ruled that the cost of the demolition and the environmental damage should be recovered from Neha Reddy’s company.
The judge ordered the authorities to file a police complaint against the company, stating that only then could criminal action be initiated.
The court further pointed out that merely demolishing the wall and leaving behind a six-foot foundation was unacceptable.
In September last, the authorities of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) demolished alleged illegal constructions belonging to Neha Reddy, after serving her formal notices.
On August 24, the Andhra Pradesh high court instructed the GVMC to take action against the construction of an unlawful compound wall at Bheemili Beach, which violates Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations.
The court also asked the GVMC officials to submit a detailed report on the actions taken.