Kerala High Court Appoints Advocate Commissioner To Verify If Lakshadweep Resort Construction Falls In No-Development Zone

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (April 21) appointed an Advocate Commissioner to inspect whether any construction is being done by the Lakshadweep Administration in the No-Development Zone, in furtherance of its project to develop a tourist resort in Kavaratti Islands.The vacation bench of Justice Gopinath P. and Justice P.M. Manoj passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation preferred by a resident raising various environmental concerns and statutory violations with respect to the Administration's 105-crore-construction-project to develop 'Paradise Hut Resort' near the Western Jetty area at Kavaratti Islands.Last week, the Court had recorded the Lakshadweep Administration's submission that no construction would be done in the No-Development Zone while developing the resort. It had also asked the standing counsel to take instructions on whether the Administration was willing to bear the expenses of an advocate commissioner to ascertain whether construction is being made in the No-Development Zone in violation of the Island Protection Zone Notification, 2019.The Notification mandates that development activities cannot be undertaken within 20m of HTL (High Tide Line) at Kavaratti whereas the plea states that the present project is being constructed hardly 12m away from the normal water line.The standing counsel today submitted that the Administration was willing to take a commission on its own cost. He also suggested that an officer of a central agency called National Council for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) also be deputed to assist the Advocate Commissioner.The petitioner's counsel also sought permission to visit the islands at the time of the inspection.Taking note of the submissions, the Court passed an interim order appointing an advocate commissioner.The Administration is to make arrangements for her travel. It is also directed to issue necessary permits to the Advocate Commissioner and the counsel for the petitioner to visit the islands.The Advocate Commissioner is to conduct the inspection on the days in which the NCSCM officer is available and to give notice of the inspection to the counsel for the petitioner and the Lakshadweep Administration.Case No: WP(PIL) No. 86/2026Case Title: T.K. Sayedali v. Union Territory of Lakshadweep and Ors.

Kerala High Court Appoints Advocate Commissioner To Verify If Lakshadweep Resort Construction Falls In No-Development Zone

K. Salma Jennath

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