District Collector files counter in encroachment case

The Madras High Court today posted after a week a matter relating to the removal of encroachments in Villupuram for rejoinder by petitioners after the District Collector filed a counter.
The Collector Sampath submitted that this type of late filing of reply to the court will not happen.
The First Bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Satish K.Agnihotri and Justice M.M.Sundersh, dispensed with further appearance of the Collector.
A petition was filed by the Villupuram Chamber of Commerce by its Secretary which sought a direction to remove the encroachments in all public roads in Villupuram town in 2013. Despite adjournments for the past one year, no counter was filed by the District Collector in the matter, following which the court directed that the official be present in the court to explain whether one year's time was not enough to file reply.

As per the direction of the bench, the Collector appeared in person and filed the counter affidavit.
The bench then posted the matter after a week for rejoinder by the petitioners.