Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Cost imposed for frivolous PIL

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, FEB.9. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday imposed a cost of Rs.5000 on a litigant for abuse of process of court, moving frivolous public interest litigation.

Dismissing the petition, a Division Bench comprising Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice S. Ashok Kumar observed that "the approach of members of the petitioner association, who have availed themselves of the benefit of allotment of house sites under the Adi Dravidar Welfare scheme, in preventing the construction of a hostel for the students belonging to the Adi Dravidar community in the name of public interest is very unhealthy."

The Bench also said the Government would be the appropriate authority to decide the location of the hostel and it may not be proper for the court or the petitioner association to intrude into the jurisdiction of the government authorities or to guide them.

According to Anna Nagar Kudiyiruppor Nala Sangam in Tirunelveli, the entire area was established for the benefit of Harijans in 1964 and nearly 13.96 acres of land was allotted for the settlement of the people belonging to the community. The pattas for the housing sites were issued in 1966 and nearly 260 residents housed in the area.

Pointing out that though public utility areas, including a playground, were earmarked in the approved layout, the association alleged that the Collector on November 30 last suddenly allotted the playground for constructing a hostel for the Adi Dravidar students.

The association also claimed that though they resorted to large-scale agitations, including picketing, before the Special Tahsildar's Office and `road roko' on many occasions, the authorities declined to change the venue of the hostel.

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