Coming down heavily on officials for allowing rampant unauthorised construction and encorachments in water bodies in the temple town of Kumbakonam which is set to host the 'Mahamaham' festival in February next, the Madras High Court today said they would have to face criminal prosecution.
"It is a matter of great concern that rampant unauthorised construction has been permitted right under the eyes and nose of the authorities," a bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Satnyanarayana, said in their interim order on a PIL.
The court directed appointment of priests and devotees as members of committees formed for the conduct of the festival held once in every 12 years and expected to draw 35 lakh pilgrims to the town dotted with ancient temples.
Petitioner 'Elephant' Rajendran, an advocate, has sought appointment of a committee headed by a retired judge to oversee the expenditure made in connection with the allotment of Rs.290 crores fund for the festival to be held on February 26.
"The criminal offence is made out against these officers. Unless the officers are made to pay for their negligence and collusion, the situation cannot improve," the bench said.
Flaying delayed action by the state authorities to clear encroachments and seal illegal buildings, the court said authorities who colluded and connived with violators must be made to face criminal prosecution.
Rejecting the status report filed by Municipal Administration Secretary K.Phanindra Reddy in which it was stated that various committees had been formed, the court said the authorities apparently want only suggestions and not non-officials in the committee.
"We thus make it clear that the government shall appoint representatives from the devotees and priests outside the government in the committee," it said.
The bench also said the website for receiving suggestions in connection with the conduct of the festival had been launched only on October 28 and termed it a belated exercise.
Responding to the government's admission that several of the 44 tanks in Kumbakonam were either full of silt or encroached, the bench said the issue needed to be addressed immediately.
Making it clear that the Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration, shall have to appear in person if the directions of the bench were not adhered to by the next date of hearing, the bench posted the matter to January 12 next.
