Madras HC laments slow response of officials to court orders

Coming down on "slow motioned" response by authorities in implementing court orders, the Madras High Court today observed judicial delay was not a systemic malady as believed and perceived but also a product of tendencies that breed causes for avoidable actions.
"The pachyderm insensitivity and slow-motioned response has come to define the attitude of the statutory and administrative functionaries in implementing court orders, unmindful of the agony the citizen endures," Justice N Seshasayee said.
Every action spurred by lack of required responsibility burdens the judicial axle, drains the judicial time and buries the cry for justice in deserving causes, he said.

The judge made the observations while hearing a petition by T Chakarapani and six others seeking to consider their representations for compensation for the lands acquired from them by the highways department in 2006.
According to the petitioners, separate awards were passed quantifying the compensation payable, but it was not given.
Originally, the petitioners moved the high court in 2008 for compensation under the Land Acquisition Act and the court allowed their plea.

This was challenged in the Supreme Court which on July 21, 2016 upheld the high court order and directed the authorities to pay the compensation.
As no action was taken yet, the petitioners approached the high court again.

Justice Seshasayee directed the highways authorities to consider the representations of the petitioners within four weeks.