The Madras High Court has
issued notice to government on a petition seeking a direction to remove alleged encroachments on land near an ancient Siva temple at a village in Kancheepuram district, in accordance with law, and submit a report.
In its order, the court, which issued notice to Additional Government Pleader, said "the alleged encroachments shall be removed within two weeks in accordance with law, after granting a hearing to the alleged encroachers."
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Granting two weeks time, the bench posted the matter to February 11 for further hearing.
The matter relates to a land of 4.5 acres of Arulmigu Sri Akilandeswari Udanurai Sri Agastheswarar Thirukoil at Pudukottai village in Thiroporur taluk of Kancheepuram district. The shrine is managed by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
The petitioner P. Govindaraj submitted that four people living near the temple had encroached upon the temple's water channel and tank.
There were unauthorized constructions also in the 'Devadayam Poonthottam Manyam' -the land meant to grow paddy for the temple. The petitioner claimed that despite repeated representations to HR&CE, Revenue Authorities and the Collector no action was taken.
A division bench, comprising Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice P Devadass, said "Govindaraj had sent a representation to the Revenue Development Authority of Chengalpattu, following which the official had directed the tahsildar to take action. The HR&CE authorities were also sent complaints twice.
