HC slams illegal toll collection in temple towns

Coming down heavily on illegal collection of tolls and parking fees in the State, especially the municipal areas with prominent temples, the Madras High Court on Monday directed all the district Collectors to take immediate action against such collection of illegal tolls and parking fees. The State was also asked to file a report within 12 weeks in the matter.

Directing the district Collectors to issue circulars in this regard to the relevant authorities, Justice R Mahadevan also asked the authorities to initiate civil and criminal proceedings against such violators within 30 days.

The direction was given based on a plea moved by Sethuraman, trustee of Om Sri Bhavani Amman Temple at Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district, seeking action against a person identified as Mayandi, who was collecting toll and parking fee from devotees visiting the temple.

Disposing the plea, Justice Mahadevan also stressed in his order that in the event of any lapses in initiating action against the erring authorities, the court would view them seriously and directed the revenue officials concerned to file a report before the respective district collectors on the action taken.

Also, the judge in his order held that none of the laws like the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act and Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, has stated that the municipalities could collect tolls from vehicles entering the areas under their control.

Though the Indian Tolls (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act permitted the State to collect such tolls, it could be done only as per the procedures prescribed under the act, the judge added while directing the State to file a report about the action taken within 12 weeks.