Illegal allotments a threat to public assets, says Madras HC – Times of India

CHENNAI: Asserting that permitting illegal allotment of public land to private individuals will be a threat for maintenance of public properties, the Madras high court has ordered demolition of a residential house constructed in 3 cents of public land classified as playground in Thiruvannamalai.
“The public officials are always expected to maintain government lands, buildings and properties intact for the benefit of the people at large. Contrarily, they cannot permit any individual to encroach upon them or allot such public lands in favour of any individual in violation of the statutes and rules in force,” the court said.
Justice S M Subramaniam made the observations on a plea moved by A Sugumaran in 2015 challenging the allotment of a public land in Vandavasi, Thiruvannamalai to M Rathinavel.
After perusal of revenue records, it came to light that the land allotted to Rathinavel was originally classified as a playground. In 2015, he constructed a house on the land.
Recording the same, the court said, “Playgrounds cannot be utilised for constructing buildings nor any allotment can be made in favour of individuals. Thus, the illegal act of permitting Rathinavel to construct the house in the playground even after filing of the writ petition cannot be approved.”
Noting that showing leniency or misplaced sympathy will result in infringement of public rights, the court directed the authorities to demolish the construction made and maintain the playground for the benefit of the people in that locality, within a month.
The court also directed the district collector to conduct a detailed inquiry and institute all further actions, including disciplinary proceedings against the officials involved in such illegalities.