Madras HC summons Chennai corporation commissioner
Directed to appear in connection with unauthorised construction.
Chennai: Two days after the Madras high court pulled up the Greater Chennai corporation commissioner for not redressing the grievance of people residing around Kodungaiyur dump yard here, the court has directed him to appear on September 23 in connection with a contempt petition.
The matter relates to a building by Devaraji at Kapaleeshwarar Nagar, Neelangarai. On a petition from R. Vadivelu of Neelangarai, residing near the place, the building was sealed and locked by officials for deviating from approved plan. In the pretext of demolishing the unauthorised and deviated portion, Devaraji approached the high court to unlock and unseal the premises.
On December 21, 2012, the court directed the corporation commissioner and the executive engineer (enforcement) zone XV, to unlock and unseal the premises.
However, Devaraji carried on with construction work. The petitioner R. Vadivelu and another suo motu contempt that was initiated by the bench in connection with unauthorized constructions in the city
Meanwhile, Devaraji, in his contempt petition, submitted the authorities concerned had willfully acted against the high court order. The bench on September 14,.2015 directed the corporation Commissioner to demolish the deviated portion and collect the amount from the owner Devaraji.
When the matter came up before the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R. Mahadevan, the corporation Commissioner filed a report stating that final orders were passed against seven officers, who failed to stop the unauthorised construction. However, no details of officers were furnished.
The Bench directed the Commissioner of Corporation to remain present on the next date of hearing. The court also directed the additional advocate-general to file an affidavit with regard to 30 other buildings in the same area for which notices were issued by the corporation in connection with the deviations.