HC summons collector, tahsildar over girivalam path encroachments

Madurai: Taking into account that the authorities had not complied with the earlier order passed by the court about the removal of encroachments from the girivalam path around the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani, Madras high court directed the Dindigul district collector and Palani tahsildar to appear before the court.
In a report, the joint commissioner/executive officer of the temple stated that the temple had obtained permission from the HR & CE commissioner to provide land to 138 encroachers who occupy land at Anna Chetti Madam and girivalam path as well as occupied PWD land.
The encroachers were given the opportunity to lease the land, but they have not availed themselves of it. They are trying to delay the process by claiming patta for the land parcels to be allotted.
Although the revenue authorities issued another notice to the encroachers, there was no reply from them.
The encroachment by Pulipani Ashram on the girivalam path is yet to be removed. When the revenue and survey departments tried to survey the lands on June 20, people from the ashram did not allow the officials to survey the temple property.
Commercial establishments were also closed on the court orders when the temple administration was clearing the encroachment by Pulipani Ashram in the inner circle of the girivalam path.
However, after some time, the ashram reopened the shops by leasing them out for commercial purposes, defying the court’s orders.
Taking cognizance of the report, a division bench of Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice R Vijayakumar observed that the revenue officials contended that the 138 encroachers are claiming patta for the lands to be allotted to them.
This claim is contrary to their earlier willingness expressed to the authorities to accept alternative accommodation. Given this situation, the authorities should have taken necessary action for the removal of encroachments by issuing short notice to the encroachers.
Therefore, it is clear that the authorities have not complied with the earlier court directions.
Hence, the judges directed the collector and tahsildar to appear before the court during the next hearing.
The judges also directed the revenue officials to file a report on the action taken regarding the submissions made by the temple joint commissioner in the report.
The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by A Radhakrishnan, complaining about non-compliance with the earlier order regarding the removal of encroachments around the girivalam path.
The hearing in the case was adjourned to July 2.