Chaini Parwani –
Published on: December 1, 2021 at 13: 25 IST
The Madras High Court has directed the Kancheepuram District Collector to demolish, within four weeks, a Church constructed illegally by a Pastor on Government ‘Meikal Poramboke’ Land.
Justice S M Subramaniam, demanded the Collector to conduct an inspection considering the Negligence, Dereliction of Duty, and Lapses committed on the part of the local Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) and the Tahsildar in Sriperumbudur in not instigating action in spite of the complaint and allowing such illegal activities to go on.
The Judge was hearing a Writ Petition filed by M Murugesan, who pleaded for a direction to the Authorities concerned to maintain the land in Pennalur village as ‘mayanam’ (Cremation Ground).
Further after hearing the counsel of both sides the Judge observed that Pastor C Sathrack had encroached upon the Government Land and constructed the Church despite protests from the villagers and warnings issued by the Authorities then and there.
Furthermore, the Judge also highlighted the plotting between the Lower-Level Authorities, including the Tahsildar, with the encroacher.
The Court also asked the Collector to conduct a probe considering the resolution passed by the Local Panchayat in an illegitimate manner and in violation of the Provisions of the Act and Rules in association with the matter and initiate all suitable actions against the persons involved in passing such resolutions.
The Judge Stated “It is needless to state that if any such illegal encroachments or illegal constructions of religious institutions are found, then the district Collector is bound to initiate actions by following the procedures as contemplated under law.”