Notice to government on plea for relief to Vadapalani flat fire victims

A division bench, comprising Justices R Mahadevan and M Govindaraj, before whom the PIL came up for hearing on Wednesday adjourned the matter by two weeks to enable government pleader MK Subramanian to get instructions. 

The petitioner ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy had contended that the fire accident that occurred on May 7 at a multi-storey, which claimed four lives and left eight others seriously injured, was owing to the utter negligence of the CMDA and Corporation officials. 

Citing media reports that the building was already sealed last year for violations, the petitioner said it was unclear as to how to the authorities withdrew the seal, when none of the violations was rectified. 

He also noted that a representation in this regard to the authorities had failed to evoke any response and hence had no choice but to approach the court.

Following the withdrawal of strike by the transport workers, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Wednesday closed the petition that deemed the transport workers to end their strike and return to work. Following the resumption of bus services across the state, the High Court on Wednesday morning said that as the orders of High Court were complied with by the transport staff, the petition shall be closed.

The Madurai HC Bench on Wednesday stayed the project of linking Tamirabarani river with Kannadiyan Kalvai and Pillaiyar Odai in Tirunelveli to prevent entry of drainage into the river. Manivannan, from Ambasamudram had filed a petition claiming that the river was the lifeline of people of five districts. If the rivulets were linked there was a possibility of drainage entering the river. When the petition came up on Wednesday, the HC stayed the project.