Advocate AP Suryaprakasam of Royapettah has moved the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the government to take action on his complaint against the Chennai District Collector for allegedly insulting a 90-year-old freedom fighter at the former’s office. According to the petitioner, he took RML Palaniappan of Devakottai to the Collector’s office in Chennai on October 11 to obtain his signature in a document related to the pension for freedom fighters given by the Centre. He was already receiving a State pension.
Suryaprakasam and Palaniappan were made to wait for over three hours before being sent away without getting an audience with the Collector.
Palaniappan had fought for India’s freedom and had even been imprisoned for six months during the British Raj.
On October 13, Suryaprakasam sent a representation to the Chief Secretary requesting him to take action against the Collector for dereliction of duty. However, no action was taken.
Hence, the present writ petition for a direction to the Chief Secretary to act on the complaint and initiate departmental proceedings against the Collector.
Justice K Venkatraman, before whom the writ petition came up for hearing on Wednesday, ordered notice returnable in two weeks.