Kanchi ex-Collector gets summons in land fraud case

A division bench comprising Justice M Sathyarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha pointed out that the trust not only encroached upon the lands classified as grazing ground poramboke, but also put up an unauthorised structure. The only justification was that P Ponniah, the then Collector of Kancheepuram, made a positive recommendation to the Revenue Secretary through the Commissioner of Land Administration.

Noting that it prima facie appeared that the official was not aware of the Revenue Standing Order 15 ‘‘XIV’’ that the consent of the Animal Husbandry Department was also required before making a positive recommendation, the bench held: “In the light of the facts and circumstances, Ponniah, the then Collector, now the District Collector, Tiruvallur, is suo motu impleaded as the fourth respondent in this writ petition and he is directed to appear through video conferencing on November 30 to render necessary assistance to this court.”

Government advocate RJ Radhika accepted notice on behalf of the State while M Ganesan, standing counsel, accepted notice on behalf of the officials, including Ponniah.