CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government that, when complaints are received regarding encroachments on government land, waterbodies, and parks, an inquiry must be initiated within 30 days and completed within three months. If this is not done, disciplinary action must be taken against the officials concerned.

Durai Srinivasan had filed a public interest litigation, seeking an order to remove the encroachments on land allotted for a park in Arakkonam Municipality and to restore the land to its original condition.

Hearing the case, the Bench comprising Chief Justice MM Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan noted it had already been three months since a complaint was filed regarding the encroachment. The court directed the municipal commissioner to file a report on the action taken on the complaint and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

Furthermore, the judges ordered that when complaints are received alleging encroachments on government land, waterbodies, or parks, an inquiry must begin within 30 days and be completed within three months. If encroachments are found, swift action must be taken to remove them.

If this procedure is not followed, disciplinary actions must be initiated against the officials concerned. The court also directed that a copy of this order be sent to the chief secretary so that a circular may be issued to the heads of the concerned departments.