Tiruvallur Collector fails to table report on Pulicat lake, pulled up

A division bench comprising Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice R Suresh Kumar before whom a Public Interest litigation seeking to dredge the mouth of Pulicat lake and keep it in good condition for free flow of fresh water came up, said, “It seems that neither the petitioner’s counsel has compiled with the order of this court dated September 9, 2019 by filing additional documents and status report nor the Tiruvallur District authorities have cared to file any status report, though notice was ordered by the Coordinate bench of this court on the said date.”

“No further opportunity will be granted for this purpose if the status report is not filed by the next day of hearing (February 5) and the district Collector shall remain present before this court,” the bench added.

The bench also noted in its order that prima facie it appears that immediately after making a representation on August 19, 2019, the petitioners have approached this court on August 29, 2019 rather prematurely.

However, in view of the apparent public cause involved in the matter, we direct the District Collector, Tiruvallur to file a status report about the dredging work undertaken in the said Pulicat lake area failing which the District Collector will be directed to remain present before this court, the bench said.