Ensure Thoraipakkam not used for cremation, HC tells Chennai Corpn

A division bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha, before whom a batch of plea moved by residents in the area came up, pointed out that the records produced showed that cremation does take place despite it being prohibited.

“The Corporation officials are hereby directed to see to it that no cremation takes place henceforth. They are expected to have adequate persons under their employment at the gate so as to prevent the activity which is not permissible in law. In case there is any violation, a complaint has to be given to the jurisdictional police for appropriate action,” the bench said.

However, though the plea sought to shift the burial ground as there are two crematorium grounds with modern facilities at Perungudi and Harichandra Road at Injambakkam – within a kilometre away from the one at PVS Nagar – which could be used for burial, the bench refused to consider it. “It is for the GCC to take appropriate decisions in this regard,” the bench said, and asked petitioners to submit a fresh representation to the Corporation within four weeks. The civic body should pass appropriate orders within six weeks thereafter, it added.