The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Police told to consider school's complaint

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 29, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Police told to consider school's complaint

Special Correspondent

But judge declines to entertain request to provide protection

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police has been directed by the Madras High Court to "consider" the complaints registered by a Pallikkaranai-based school regarding its demolition by the landowner and "investigate the matter in accordance with law."

Justice P.D. Dinakaran, passing the orders on a petition filed by the Pavanar Tamilvazhi Mazhalayar Thodakkapalli school trustee T. Manthaneyan, however, said he could not give any direction to police to provide protection to the school. According to the school trustee, the classrooms were demolished on July 19 by the landowner following a dispute with the school management. Relying on a civil court order, which did not say anything about eviction or demolition, a large posse of Pallikkaranai police stood guard and kept parents and teachers away when the buildings were razed.

Departmental action

Besides demanding compensation for the demolition, Mr. Manthaneyan had sought penal and departmental action against the Inspector of Police. On this, the Judge said, "The Commissioner of Police is directed to take appropriate action subject to the decision that will be taken in proceedings under Section 154(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure." On compensation, Mr. Justice Dinakaran said the petitioner must "work out his rights in appropriate civil proceedings." The Judge then directed the Home Secretary to give proper instructions to educational authorities to admit all students of the demolished school in recognised institutions located nearby within 15 days.

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