HC fines Chennai Corporation for not looking into plaint

Observing that public authorities must attend to representations of the people, the Madras High Court today imposed a cost of Rs 5,000 on Chennai Corporation for not responding to a representation by a petitioner seeking removal of an illegal construction.
The matter relates to a petition by G Gunasekar, a resident here, to Chennai Corporation to demolish an unauthorised construction in the name of a 'Madha Temple' on the street falling under Zone VI of the civic body.
Since there was no action, the petitioner approached the court by filing a public interest writ plea.
Hearing the case, the court said, "Three-and-a-half-months have elapsed and it is confirmed by the learned counsel for the Corporation that nothing has been done as yet."

The court further pointed out, "We have repeatedly endeavoured to emphasise to the state government/public authorities that they must attend to representations in time and the state government has even issued a Government Order dated September 21, 2015 requiring all representations to be attended within one month."
When it was submitted by the counsel that action in accordance with law will be taken within two weeks in the matter, the bench said it was appropriate to impose cost.
"We, however, consider it appropriate burdening the authorities with costs, favouring the petitioner for not having taken action in time, quantified at Rs 5000 to be paid to the petitioner and recovered from the officer responsible for not having complied with the aforesaid Government Order.