HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
V.M. VELUMANI, V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN, JJ.
P. Venkatesan - Appellant
Versus
The Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation, Rippon Building, Park Town, Chennai & Others - Respondents
Writ Petition No. 8797 of 2023 & W.M.P. No. 8974 of 2023
Decided On : 21-03-2023
Writ Petition - Unauthorised Construction - The court directed the 1st respondent to take further action following the stop work notice within eight weeks and file a status report before the court.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought a direction to the 1st respondent to demolish the unauthorised construction on a property he purchased, alleging fraudulent transfer and subsequent unauthorised construction by the 4th respondent.
Finding of the Court:
The court directed the 1st respondent to take further action following the stop work notice within eight weeks and file a status report before the court, disposing of the Writ Petition with no costs.
Issues: Unauthorised construction, fraudulent transfer, lack of action by respondents
Ratio Decidendi: The court found that the 1st respondent had issued a stop work notice and directed them to take further action within a specified period.
Final Decision: The Writ Petition was disposed of with the direction to the 1st respondent to take further action and file a status report within eight weeks.
JUDGMENT
(Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the 1st respondent to demolish the entire unauthorised and illegal construction of plot No.63, Ganesh Avenue, Sakthi Nagar, Panchavaktra Flats, Porur, Chennai-600 116 within the stipulated period.)
V.M. Velumani, J.
1. The petitioner has come out with the present Writ Petition for a direction to the 1st respondent to demolish the entire unauthorised and illegal construction of plot No.63, Ganesh Avenue, Sakthi Nagar, Panchavaktra Flats, Porur, Chennai-600 116 within the stipulated period.
2. By consent of both the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as Mr.D.B.R.Prabhu, learned Standing Counsel, who takes notice for the 1st respondent and Mr.L.Jaivenkatesh, learned Standing Counsel for TNEB, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
3. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 1 & 2 and perused the entire materials on record.
4. According to the petitioner, he purchased plot No.63, Ganesh Avenue, Sakthi Nagar, Panchavaktra Flats, Porur, Chennai-600 116 and constructed compound wall & small room and he is in absolute possession of the property. The brother of petitioner without his knowledge executed a settlement deed in favour of his wife fraudulently and who in turn, sold the same to one Ramamurthy, the 4th respondent herein. The 4th respondent started construction of flats and entered into an agreement with several persons. In this regard, the petitioner has lodged a complaint in the year 2008 and filed suit in O.S.No.5317 of 2011 against his brother for declaration, which was dismissed and the appeal filed by the petitioner challenging the said judgment and decree was allowed. Despite the legal notice issued by the petitioner to the 4th respondent and others who had purchased the flats intimating the pendency of the litigations between the petitioner and his brother, the 4th respondent has made unauthorised construction in the property without any approval. The petitioner has sent a representation to the respondents 1 & 2 on 15.02.2023 for demolition of the unauthorised construction. Since no action has been taken by the respondents 1 & 2, the petitioner has come out with the present Writ Petition for the above stated relief.
5. Mr.D.B.R.Prabhu, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent submitted that the Officials of the 1st respondent inspected the property and issued stop work notice on 06.03.2023 and will proceed to take further action.
6. Considering the above submissions and nature of relief sought for in the present Writ Petition, the 1st respondent is directed to take further action following the stop work notice dated 06.03.2023 within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and file a status report before this Court.
7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
Post this matter “For reporting compliance” in the First week of June 2023.
Res judicata applies when a similar petition is filed after the conclusion of earlier legal proceedings, constituting an abuse of process.
The central legal point established in the judgment is the importance of adherence to approved construction plans and the legal implications of deviation from such plans under the Tamil Nadu Town and....
The court emphasized the obligation of the 2nd respondent to take action against unauthorised construction under the Tamil Nadu District Municipality Act, 1920.
When a neighborly dispute involves allegations of unauthorized construction or building plan deviation, the court may direct relevant statutory authorities to conduct a site inspection and take appro....
Authorities to take action against unauthorized construction upon inspection.
The court has the authority to direct the authorities to take action against unauthorized construction and to ensure compliance with legal requirements for construction.
Writ petitions premature if representation pending; direct authorities to decide expeditiously without expressing merits opinion.
Illegal and unauthorized construction can be subject to legal action for removal or demolition.
Writ jurisdiction cannot entertain disputed questions of fact when parallel civil proceedings are initiated for the same relief.
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