Wall collapse: HC asks petitioner to implead land owner

The Madras High Court has directed a petitioner, who filed a PIL on a recent wall collapse that claimed the lives of 17 people, to implead the owner on whose land the wall was put up.

Stating that the deceased belonged to the scheduled caste, the petitioner said the land owner belongs to a dominant caste Hindu community and alleged that he constructed the 'untouchability' wall to isolate the Dalit people from his two-acre property.

According to the petitioner, the Constitution of India abolishes untouchability but in reality it has been practised.

"It is high time the government take steps at least to remove or demolish such walls," he said and wanted the court to order an investigation against the officials.

The petitioner said the officials did not remove the wall in spite of locals bringing to the notice of the authorities that it was weak and posed a danger.

He also sought a direction to alter the FIR and include the necessary provisions of the SC/ST Act and payment of adequate compensation for the victims
The wall has already been demolished by the district administration following an outcry from the locals and political parties that it was constructed to discriminate against Dalits living nearby
The petitioner said "Apart from the individual (Sivasubramaniam) who has constructed the wall, the local administration which had ignored complaints on the condition of the wall is also responsible for the incident."