MADURAI

In order to tackle the menace of building plan violations in Tiruchi, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed strict action against such buildings in accordance with law, including locking and sealing of the premises.

A Division Bench of Justices K.K. Sasidharan and P.D. Audikesavalu directed the Commissioner of Police to provide all necessary assistance to the Corporation Commissioner to enforce lock-and-seal of such buildings. Necessary police force should be deployed to ensure that the exercise was carried out smoothly without any disturbance from the building owners and their agents or servants, the court said.

The court directed the Tiruchi Commissioner of Police and the Corporation Commissioner to file an action taken report on January 7, pursuant to the direction. Earlier, the State submitted a report of illegal constructions in the city and said enforcement action would be taken against the violators.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by Allur K.A. Srinivasan of Tiruchi who named 27 buildings built in violation of rules. The list of buildings included popular hotels, jewellery stores, vehicle showrooms, shopping malls and a hospital.

He said a number of commercial buildings in the city were constructed in violation of existing building and safety rules. The buildings were frequented by the public and with no safety measures risk to lives was high.

The city had already witnessed a tragic incident in which at least 50 people perished in a wedding hall fire in 2004. The district authorities must take strict action against those deviating from the approved plan.

He added that buildings were constructed by encroaching upon agricultural lands and irrigation channels. The authorities concerned must enforce strict implementation of building rules and take stringent action against the violators, he said.