3 days ago
Madras High Court Dismisses PIL Against Proposed Tamil Nadu Secretariat
A lawyer asked the Madras High Court to stop the Tamil Nadu government from building a new Secretariat in Chennai.
The petition said the project might cost Rs 1,200 crore, waste public money, and affect local fishermen.
The judges asked why the court had the power to stop construction at that location.
They also asked how the plan would harm the public and whether the government order had been challenged.
The judges noted that an earlier challenge to shifting the Secretariat had been rejected by the High Court and upheld by the Supreme Court.
After the court indicated it might impose heavy costs, the petitioner's lawyer asked to withdraw the case.
The court then dismissed it as withdrawn.
The Madras High Court dismissed as withdrawn a PIL opposing a proposed new Secretariat at Foreshore Estate in Chennai.
The petition was filed by advocate R. S. Tamilvendan; advocate Senthil Kumar appeared for him.
The petitioner said newspaper reports described a planned project costing Rs 1,200 crore on Tamil Nadu Housing Authority land.
The petition argued construction could waste public money and affect the welfare of fishermen living in the area.
The bench questioned the legal basis and public impact of the challenge; the petitioner sought withdrawal after the court indicated it might impose heavy costs.
- Who
- The Madras High Court, including Chief Justice S. A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, heard a PIL filed by advocate R. S. Tamilvendan.
- What
- The court dismissed the PIL as withdrawn; it sought to stop a proposed new Tamil Nadu Secretariat.
- Where
- Foreshore Estate, Chennai, on land owned by the Tamil Nadu Housing Authority.
- When
- Monday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- The petitioner alleged the project could waste public money and affect local fishermen; the petition was withdrawn after the court questioned its legal and factual basis and indicated possible heavy costs.
Petitioner's concerns
Court's scrutiny
Public cost and local impact
Petitioner's concerns
The petitioner argued that building the Secretariat could waste public money and harm the interests and welfare of fishermen in the area.
Court's scrutiny
The bench asked the petitioner to explain how the public would be affected and how public money would be wasted.
Court's authority to intervene
Petitioner's concerns
The PIL sought a direction requiring the government to abandon the proposed construction.
Court's scrutiny
The bench questioned what authority the court had to stop the government from constructing a building at a particular place and asked whether the relevant government order had been challenged.
Key facts
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Case outcome
- PIL dismissed as withdrawn
- Petitioner
- Advocate R. S. Tamilvendan
- Proposed site
- Foreshore Estate, Chennai
- Land owner
- Tamil Nadu Housing Authority
- Reported project cost
- Rs 1,200 crore, as stated by the petitioner based on newspaper reports
- Bench
- Chief Justice S. A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan
Quotes
Madras High Court bench
The bench comprising Chief Justice S A Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan.
“You must know what a Public Interest Litigation is. At least you must do some homework and research. Have you challenged the G O pertaining to the new Secretariat”
thehansindia.com
“You must say in what way the GO affects the public and the public money is wasted. How the public is affected”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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