Madras High Court today directed the Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Cuddalore, to proceed forthwith in accordance with law, if any unauthorized construction is being made in the land related to Sri Andavar@ Chetti Veerappaswami Temple at Chidambaram.
A PIL filed by M. Sivalingam of Chidambaram Taluk had sought a direction to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai (HR &CE) to demolish "illegal construction" put up by one Nagaraj in the land belonging to the temple.
In its order, the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, said: "The Assistant Commissioner, HR&CE of Cuddalore, is directed to forthwith proceed in accordance with law, if unauthorized construction is being made and conclude the proceedings within a maximum period of two months from the receipt of the copy of this order."
"In case , it is found that Nagaraj is proceeding with the construction unauthorizedly while absenting himself, necessary action such as the construction being made to be stopped should be taken forthwith."
The petitioner alleged Nagaraj was putting up unauthorized construction in the place belonging to the temple. He made several complaints and the department ordered for a personal hearing on May 25 this year but Nagaraj chose to absent himself.
The petitioner claimed the construction was going unabated while Nagaraj was absenting himself from proceedings and hence he filed the present petition.
