HC warns Executive Engineer

The Madras High Court today warned an Executing Engineer of PWD that the order for conviction for contempt should be placed in his Annual Conduct Register if he is in in future found to be default.
The First Bench Comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana warned the official for not obeying tthe court's direction on a an encroachment case.
A PIL was filed by one G Thangaraj against the encroachment of Kosathaliyar river channel in Thiruverkadu Municipality by one KPS Illayaraj.
The five grounds of land is under the exclusive control of Thiruverkadu Municipality which was illegally trespassed by Illayaraja and a building was constructed illegally blocking the pathway.

The petitioner alleged that taking advantage his position as the member of council of Municipality, Illayaraja encroached the river channel.
Because of the obstruction in the area, Bharathi Nagar is flooded in the rainy season and the flood waters enter into the colony.

Earlier the Court had directed the District Collector, Tiruvallur and the Chairman Thiruverkadu Municipality to to take action if any infirmity is found and report to the court.
As the officials have not taken any action,Thangaraj filed a contempt petition seeking to punish the officials including the Collector of Thiruvallur.
The Collector then filed a report to the court in which it was stated that the land belongs to the PWD and the Executive Engineer PWD along with the Tahsildar of Poonamallee and the Municipal Chairman of Thiruverkaadu had takne steps to evict the encroachment.

In another report filed by the Collector in February it was informed that Ilayaraja was evicted.
When the contempt petition came up for hearing before the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, the Executive Engineer of PWD against whom the contempt was initiated submitted that the expenses for the removal of encroachment were borne by Illayaraja.
The bench which closed the petition also warned the Executive Engineer.