HC directs TN govt to transfer land for construction of court

: The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to transfer the land earmarked for the construction of a combined court complex in Thiruvottiyur, to the judiciary, within 15 days.
The Court gave the direction to the State Home Department on Thursday, on a PIL by Thiruvottiyur Advocates Association.
After perusing the affidavit filed by the Secretary, Home Department, the Court said, "It is stated that they are awaiting the proposal from the Registry of High Court, which can be sent only when actual transfer of land takes place."
But on when the transfer will take place, there is complete silence, it observed.

"Hence, we are left with no option but to issue a direction that all steps for actual transfer of land should be completed within 15 days to facilitate the Registry to send the requisite proposal," it said and posted the matter for further hearing on November 28.
The petitioners had submitted that the jurisdiction of Thiruvottiyur court includes several localities, including Wimco Nagar, Manali, Ennore, Puzhul, Redhills, Madavaram Taluk and various other villages.

Advocates and litigants have to travel 50 km to attend sub-court cases in Ponneri, which causes a lot of inconvenience, they said.
A representation was made for constitution of a sub-court at Thiruvottiyur in 2009 by the Association as the place is connected to other places by bus and train.

In the meantime, the existing Court building in Thiruvottiyur had become dilapidated, following which another representation was sent in 2013, seeking a combined court complex, they petition said.
Another representation was made on August 4 last to the Registrar General of Madras High Court in this regard, but nothing fruitful was done by the authorities concerned, it added.
The association prayed for a direction from the court to the Registrar General to consider their representation.
After recording the submissions, the court also issued orders to accommodate the present Court in Thiruvottiyur to an alternative place on Kanakkar street and directed the Registry of Madras High Court and Public Works Department to work out the feasibility of the proposal within 15 days.