Town planning director summoned

Justice R Suresh Kumar, before whom the contempt petition moved by S Anand of Coimbatore whose lands were directed to be released from the proposed 80 feet, and 60 feet road schemes on December 2, 2016, have not been complied with said, “It is a known fact that only 30 days of time is available for the parties to prefer an intra-court appeal. While that being so what action the authorities have taken in pursuance of the order, passed by this court on December 2, 2016, has not been spelt out.”

“This kind of attitude, showing scant respect to the orders of this court, of late, is growing, and such a trend being followed by the official side of the Administrative Wing of the state, cannot be approved by the Judiciary. In view of the above this court has no hesitation to issue statutory notice to the above official to appear before the court on January 21,” the judge said.

The Town and Country Planning department had prepared a scheme for formation of 80 and 60-feet road and a portion of the petitioner’s land in Upplilipalayam village, Coimbatore South Taluk was earmarked for the same. But with no development even after a lapse of 20 years, the petitioner sought to release his land. The High Court ordered the officials to do so within four weeks in 2016. But nothing transpired since then leading to the contempt petition.

Justice Suresh Kumar also held, “The said approach on the part of the DTCP is to be considered as contemptuous prima facie..... and when the contempt petition is filed a communication has been submitted as if they have decided to file an appeal.”