CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Commissioner of Chennai Corporation to take stringent action against delinquent officials who connived with those engaged in unauthorised constructions.
“We say so, as despite mammoth amount of unauthorised constructions, we are informed that not a single person has suffered the punishment of dismissal from service or even compulsory retirement at least for the last five years,” the first bench of Chief Justice S K Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan said. The bench was passing further interim orders on two contempt petitions against Devaraji, who made an illegal construction in 7th South Cross Street, Kapaleeswarar Nagar at Neelankarai.
While one contempt petition was filed by R Vadivelu and D Gopalakrishnan, Devaraji’s neighbours, the other petition was a suo-motu contempt petition by the High Court.
As directed earlier, the Corporation Commissioner was present in the court on Friday and filed a report. When the contemnor (Devaraji) informed the court that he had initiated demolition of the illegal portion on the third floor and sought a week’s time to complete the work, the Bench directed the Commissioner to verify the same.
After perusing the Commissioner’s report, the bench impressed upon him to ensure that unauthorised constructions do not continue by issuing stop work notices immediately when such illegal structures are detected rather than waiting for comparison of the plans.
The bench also emphasised to the Commissioner the importance of checking buildings from the basement or ground floor so that the setbacks are adhered to. He should ensure that on-going construction works complied with the norms. Delinquent officers should be brought to book not by mere censure or stoppage of increment, but by more severe consequences like compulsory retirement and dismissal.
The Commissioner should not be disturbed or interfered with by persons who have nothing to do with his job, the bench said and adjourned the matter till September 30.