2018 Supreme(Mad) 2065
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M. VENUGOPAL, S. RAMATHILAGAM, JJ.
Mrs. Romana W/o Mr. Jayaraj rep. by her Power Agent Mr. S.Stephen Suresh Kumar - Petitioner
Vs.
The Commissioner Corporation of Chennai and Ors. - Respondents
W.P. No. 24288 of 2017
Decided On : 06-09-2018
For the Petitioner: Mr. S. Thanka Sivan
For the Respondents: Mr. V.C. Selvasekaran, Mr. Karthick Rajan, Mr. R.Udhayakumar, Mr. S.Ramachandran
The court's decision emphasized the importance of waiting for the outcome of the order passed by the First Respondent and allowing the petitioner to file a fresh petition if he had any cause of action as an affected person.
Headnote:
Demolition - Unauthorized Construction - The court disposed of the writ petition, directing the petitioner to wait for the outcome of the order passed by the First Respondent. The petitioner was given the option to file a fresh writ petition if he had any cause of action as an affected person.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner filed a writ petition seeking an order to demolish and remove unauthorized superstructures, namely, a temple and a Christian pedestal with a cross symbol and flagstaff, constructed on a specific property.
Finding of the Court:
The court disposed of the writ petition, stating that the petitioner had to wait for the outcome of the order passed by the First Respondent. The petitioner was given the option to file a fresh writ petition if he had any cause of action as an affected person.
Issues: Unauthorized construction of a temple and a Christian pedestal with a cross symbol and flagstaff on a specific property.
Ratio Decidendi: The court decided to dispose of the writ petition, allowing the petitioner to file a fresh petition if he had any cause of action as an affected person.
Final Decision: The writ petition was disposed of, and the petitioner was given the option to file a fresh petition if he had any cause of action as an affected person.
M. VENUGOPAL, J.
Heard Mr.S.Thanka Sivan, Learned Counsel for the Petitioner, Mr. V.C. Selvasekaran, Learned Standing Counsel for the First Respondent/Chennai Corporation, Mr. Karthick Rajan, Learned Standing Counsel for the Second Respondent/CMDA, Mr. R.Udhayakumar, Learned Additional Government Pleader for the Third Respondent/State. Although Publication was effected in respect of the Fourth and Fifth Respondents in one issue of 'The Hindu' daily (English and Tamil), for the Fourth Respondent, there is a representation through the Learned Counsel Mr. S.Ramachandran. However, in respect of the Fifth Respondent, there is no representation.
2. The Petitioner has preferred the present Writ Petition praying for passing of an order by this Court in directing the Respondents/Authorities to demolish and remove the superstructures, namely, Temple named Sri Bhavani Palayathamman Temple and Christian pedestal with Cross symbol and flagstaff constructed in the Property comprised in T.S. Nos. 36 to 47, Ayanavaram Village, Ayanavaram Taluk, bearing Door No. 313, Konnur High Road, Ayanavaram, Chennai 600 023 by the Fourth and Fifth Respondents.
3. At this juncture, Mr. V.C. Selvasekaran, Learned Standing Counsel for the First Respondent/Chennai Corporation brings it to the notice of this Court that in Letter No. 6596/UD-VII(1)/2018-6 dated 6.9.2018, the Additional Secretary (Technical) of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Secretariat, Chennai, at paragraphs 5 & 8, had observed the following:-
“5. In this regard, the appellant and the officials of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority/Greater Chennai Corporation were afforded a personal hearing on 23.04.2018 at 1.00 P.M.
During the hearing the objector informed that there is no dispute on the existence of the temple. But it is totally unauthorized one. They have not even applied for obtaining the permissions required. Temple being a place of worship and gathering of public, the temple authorities must have obtained planning permission. They cannot make appeal since no application for planning permission has been filed. They have constructed the temple on the lands of belonging to his client.
The appellant informed that they have no ownership rights. But the temple is not constructed by him but it is old one. He is now managing the temple.
The Greater Chennai Corporation official informed that notice was issued for the temple on November 2017. The primary issue to be decided is whether the notice issued by the Greater Chennai Corporation is valid or not. From the provision of documents furnished and arguments made during the hearing on three occasions the following are concluded:-
(i) The structure for the temple is unauthorized.
(ii) The persons in charge of temple did not make any attempt to get planning permissions and building license, and
(iii) There is a dispute over the ownership for the land on which the temple is constructed.
8. The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority/the Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation is informed to pursue action accordingly.”
4. In view of the foregoings, the present Writ Petition is disposed of, because of the fact that the Petitioner has to wait for the outcome of the order passed by the First Respondent through his letter No. 6596/UD-VII(1)/2018-6 dated 6.9.2018. In case, the Petitioner has any cause of action as an affected person in regard to the subject matter in issue, then, it is open to him to file a fresh Writ Petition and to seek appropriate remedy for redressal of his grievance, if he so desires/advised.
5. Before parting with the case, this Court directs the Area Engineer of the TANGEDCO, Ayanavaram, Chennai to restore the electricity connection to the subject property concerned in the Writ Petition. No costs.