: Taking a serious view on residents abusing the judicial relief granted to them by letting out the unauthorized constructed portions, Madras High court today directed the authorities to seal the premises in three days.
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam before which a petition by one Radha Agarwal and Lalitha Agarwal to remove the lock and seal of the building, enabling them rectify unauthorized portions of constructions, came up, ordered immediate sealing of the premises apart from disconnecting water and power supply.
The court also ordered action against civic officials for having colluded with the building owners.
The matter relates to a building in Choolaimedu area, which was sanctioned as a stilt-plus-two floor structure.But the owners built four additional floors. It was sealed on January 20, 2015.
The petitioners then moved court to remove the lock and seal of the building to enable them to rectify the position.
On Feb 2, 2015, a division bench granted the request on condition that the whole structure be removed in two months, failing which the corporation would take punitive action.
The issue was brought to the court's notice by a neighbor who sought action for illegal construction of the four floors. The court was informed that the owners have let out portions.
The Bench noted that the city Corporation and CMDA officials had failed to file their replies to the petition and gave them two weeks to file counter-affidavits, failing which it would be accepted only on payment of Rs 10,000 as cost per counter-affidavit.
The judges said the building should be immediately sealed and its original position restored within three days, with police assistance.
If power connection given for authorized portion is being misused, it should be probed and it should be disconnected.
Meanwhile Metro Water submitted to the Court that water connection was disconnected on September 4.
The bench then posted the case for further hearing to October 13.
