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Pathway Denied, Village Banished: Madras HC Cracks Down on Rogue Panchayat
In a stark reminder that no informal village council can trample constitutional rights, the has directed authorities in Krishnagiri to probe allegations of brutal against a woman and her family. Justice Krishnan Ramasamy, in dated , ordered the and to independently investigate claims by petitioner P. Revathi and ensure her rights—life and personal liberty—are upheld.
Roots of Rural Ruin: A Simple Land Row Turns Toxic
The saga unfolded in Pillankuppam village, Krishnagiri district, over Survey No. 435/2A. Revathi's neighbor, R. Krishnan (4th respondent), demanded a pathway across her land to access his property. When she refused, he escalated to local leaders—Munirathinam and Venkateshan (5th and 6th respondents).
What followed, as per the petition, was a cascade of medieval-style punishments announced via thandora (village loudspeaker) from . The family was allegedly: - Ostracized from village life. - Barred from public water sources, local shops, tea stalls, and even worship. - Excluded from villagers' family functions. - Threatened with ₹1 lakh fines for defiance, and ₹25,000 for any villager aiding them.
News reports from the time corroborate this, noting the dispute ignited in early 2022 when Revathi's pathway refusal prompted panchayat intervention, escalating after she sought a formal land survey from police and revenue officials.
Revathi lodged a representation on , with the , SP, and , demanding action. With no response, she approached the High Court under .
Petitioner's Plea vs. Officials' Denial
Revathi's counsel painted a picture of ongoing siege: crushed by an unelected panchayat wielding fines and bans. They urged to enforce law, restore access, and prevent human rights violations.
Authorities countered via a inquiry, claiming no evidence of such actions. Petitioner's lawyer rebutted, insisting the boycott persists.
Court's Constitutional Calculus: No Room for Panchayat Tyranny
Justice Ramasamy weighed the clash between rural customs and constitutional supremacy. While no precedents were directly cited, the ruling pivots on
, safeguarding dignity beyond mere survival. The court rejected the RDO's
, mandating an afresh, independent probe to verify if
"illegality committed by respondents 4 to 6"
holds.
This underscores a key principle: informal bodies like cannot impose coercive sanctions that infringe core rights, echoing broader judicial intolerance for social boycotts (as seen in past rulings against ).
Key Observations from the Bench
-
On the panchayat's edicts
:
"The petitioner and his family have to be ostracized from ... not allowed to take water from the public water sources. No groceries allowed... curtailed the petitioner’s worship rights also."
-
alert
:
"Ensure that no injustice is caused to the petitioner by violating her as contemplated under of the ."
-
Action mandate
:
"In the event... found any illegality... immediately... take legal action, including filing an against the respondents 4 to 6."
Probe Ordered: 12 Weeks to Justice, if Guilty
The writ stands disposed with clear directives: and SP must complete the inquiry within 12 weeks of the order. If proven, FIRs follow—potentially under sections for criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, or caste atrocities if applicable.
This ruling signals zero tolerance for vigilante justice in villages, potentially emboldening victims of similar panchayat overreach. For Revathi's family, it's a lifeline; for rogue councils, a warning— trumps tradition.
