HC orders district officials to present in the court

The Madras High Court has directed the Collector of Cuddalore District and RDO of Virudhachalam, in Cuddalore District to remain present in the Court by June 15 on a contempt petition.
The First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sathyanarayanan, in its order also ordered issue of notice to Government Pleader STS Moorthy.
One R Sekhar had filed PIL regarding encroachments by persons in the 2.76 acre water body of Tittkudi Taluk in Cuddalore District.
He submitted that it was classified as water body as per the revenue records. The water stored in the lake used to be let out through canals for irrigation in and around lands of the water body, the petitioner said.

However, some persons with political connections have encroached upon the eastern side of the lake to an extent of one acre and stopped the free flow of water from the attachment area so as to have the control over entire lake.
The petitioner said the illegal activity is taken to the notice of the District Collector to whom numerous representations were sent and no step was taken by authorities.

When the matter first came up on September 4 last year, the court had directed the District Collector and the Revenue Divisional Officer to look into the matter and to carry out inspection and take a reasoned decision after notice to all parties concerned within a month.

It had also directed if any infraction is found to take action in accordance with law within two months thereafter.
As no action was initiated as per the earlier order of the High Court, Sekar filed the contempt petition.