The Madras High Court today posted for hearing on February 10 a PIL seeking direction to the Chief Secretary to take action against officials responsible for construction of 5,000 buildings in the Kodaikanal Hill station in alleged violation of the norms.
The petitioner A Antony Cruz, a Hill Protection Council member, said the modus operandi of the "Mafia" involved in violating construction rules, was to apply for permission to build a house of certain dimension and then actually construct a building that was different from the actual dimensions.
The High Court, in 2004, had already ordered that the Dindigul District Collector should take immediate steps to ensure that no illegal constructions were put up.
In future, construction started already without license should not be allowed to be continued.
But this High Court order was being violated on a large-scale in the Hill station, affecting environment and ecology, the petitioner alleged.
"...Unless the erring officials are sternly dealt with it is not possible to enforce the mandamus of the court. Hence the court should direct the Chief Secretary to take action against the officials including Dindigul District Collector, Kodaikanal Municipal Commissioner, and town planning officers, both past and the incumbent to prevent proliferation of illegal buildings," the petitioner said.
A Division Bench of R Sudhakar and Justice V M Velumani of Madurai Bench posted the matter for hearing on February 10.
