CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the authorities to remove the lock and seal put on the office and principal’s room of Pallavan Engineering College at Thimmasamudram in Kancheepuram district.
A division bench of Justices N Paul Vasanthakumar and K Ravichandrabaabu gave the direction on August 25 while disposing of a writ petition from the college seeking to restrain the Collector and two others from interfering with the functioning of the college. The charge against the college was that it had obtained plan approval from the local body without getting prior approval from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning. Disposing of the petition, the judge observed that as contended by advocate M Baskar, no order was passed by Collector to proceed with the lock and seal. There was no communication to the petitioner regarding this, before effecting the lock and seal on August 4.
That being the position, the action of the authorities in locking and sealing the office and principal’s room as required under Sec 56 of the TN Town and Country Planning Act, was erroneous and a high-handed action, the judge said. Directing removal of the same, the bench granted liberty to the authorities to proceed afresh in accordance with law.