HC: Evict 925 encroachers in Kumbakonam within a year

The matter relates to a PIL moved by advocate Elephant Rajendran seeking the removal of encroachments in the temple tanks at Kumbakonam. This had led to the High Court, by an order on January 20, 2017, appointing retired judge S Solaimalai as Local Commissioner to inspect all the 44 tanks and 11 channels in Kumbakonam with the assistance of revenue officials and the Advocate Petitioner. The court had asked for a report to be submitted. 

Based on this, the report was submitted stating that there are 239 encroachments in 44 tanks and 686 encroachers in 11 channels. Along with this, the petitioner also submitted that a layout was created seven years ago by the government in “Thirukkural Nagar” at Seshambadi Village near Kumbakonam, which contains 1,330 plots. But since no allotment has been made so far, the petitioner suggested that all the 925 encroachers may be allotted alternative site at Thirukkural Nagar in a bid to ensure hassle- free removal of the said encroachers. 

The first bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose, on recording the submission as well as the report, said, “The government may consider the proposal suggested by the petitioner advocate regarding accommodating the encroachers in the plots. In any case, the authorities shall take action to evict the encroachers in accordance with law within a period of one year from the date of communication of this order.”