Transfer land for Thiruvottiyur court complex in 15 days, Government told

First Bench Comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan on perusing the submission of Thiruvottiyur Advocates Association through a PIL that the Revenue Department was awaiting the proposal from the High Court Registry for the transfer said “It is stated that they are awaiting the proposal from the High Court Registry, which, however can be sent only when actual transfer of land takes place. But, when the actual land transfer will take place, there is complete silence.” 

“We are left with no option but to issue a direction that all steps for actual transfer of land should be completed within fifteen days to facilitate the High Court Registry to send the requisite proposal,” the bench said.

The PIL had contended that Thiruvottiyur Court caters to nearly 15 lakh people. But litigations that arose from the area which includes motor accident cases and civil suits had to be dealt at Ponneri sub-court, which was 50 Kms away. Based on this, a representation was made for consti- tution of a sub-court at Thiruvottiyur in 2009. Again, a representation was sent in the year 2013 for a combined Court complex.

It was further submitted that Revenue department had identified a land belonging to TAMIN for this purpose. The Madras High Court had also written a letter to the Revenue department urging it to transfer the land to the Judiciary. Subsequently, another representation was made on August 8 this year but to no avail and hence the present PIL. The case has been posted for further hearing to November 28.

The Madras High Court has restrained Zuari Cements Limited from making any construction that would obstruct the free flow of water in the irrigation canal at Athipattu in Thiruvallur. 

Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan on hearing a PIL moved by Athipattu Village Association, said “This would be a matter for the authorities concerned to look into. Suffice for us to say that there should neither be any blockage of water flowing through the culvert nor any construction on the Canal.” 

The bench added that “As and when water flows, the culvert should facilitate the flow of water beyond the walls of the Cement factory.” The plea had contended that the encroachment by the cement factory, had led to the village getting flooded during the rains last year. The plea on alleging that the village panchayat had no authority to lease the irrigation canal, claimed that the Government authorities have failed to exert the statutory and public duty in removing the encroachment.