B.Vydehi, v. The Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 23.03.2017
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.HULUVADI G.RAMESH, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE RMT.TEEKAA RAMAN W.P.No.7041 of 2017 and W.M.P.No.7672 of 2017 1.B.Vydehi 2.B.Lakshmana 3.B.Sridhar 4.B.Sekar 5.B.Srikanth .. Petitioners Vs.
1.The Commissioner, Ripon Buildings, Chennai - 600 003.
2.The Executive Engineer, No.72, Basin Bridge Road, Chennai - 600 021.
3.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Unit 13, Division 57, No.27, Seven Wells Road, Chennai - 600 001.
.. Respondents PRAYER: Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to remove (de-seal) the lock and seal put up by the respondent with regard to the building at No.2/12, Kumarappa Mastry Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai - 600 001 forthwith to enable the petitioners to rectify the deviations as well as to restore the building to the
permissible planning rules and regulations in the said premises on the basis of the petitioners representation dated 06.3.2017. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Mohan For Respondents : Mr.A.Nagarajan
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Acting Chief Justice) Mr.A.Nagarajan, learned counsel takes notice for the respondents.
2. The petitioners have filed this writ petition, seeking for a direction to the respondents to remove the lock and seal in respect of the premises No.2/12, Kumarappa Mastry Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai-1, so as to enable them to rectify and restore the said premises in conformity with the sanctioned plan, on the basis of their representation dated 06.03.2017.
3. According to the petitioners, they are the joint owners of the building aforesaid and since the building became old, they have decided to demolish and reconstruct a new building. For the purpose of reconstructions, the petitioners have obtained planning permission from the Corporation and constructions were made and duly occupied. During the course of constructions, the petitioners have made certain additions and extensions in the ground plus two floors (part). While so, alleging violations, the officials of the Chennai Corporation issued locking and sealing notice on 02.12.2016 and thereafter, the premises came to be locked and sealed on 21.01.2017. The petitioners would state that they are ready to rectify the deviations in the building as per the rules and regulations and, in this regard, they have also submitted a representation on 06.3.2017 to respondents 2 and 3, but no reply is forthcoming. Hence, the petitioners have approached this Court with this writ petition, for the relief stated supra.
4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned counsel for the respondents.
5. In respect of the alleged violation of the planning permission issued for construction of the building, lock and seal notice was issued by the second respondent on 02.12.2016, pointing out certain irregularities in the construction of the building.
6. The learned counsel for the petitioners undertakes to rectify the defects pointed out by the second respondent within a reasonable time. It is also submitted that pursuant to the lock and seal notice issued, the second respondent has locked and sealed the premises on 21.1.2017.
7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we feel, interest of justice would be subserved if the petitioners are given an opportunity to rectify the defects pointed out by the second respndent within a reasonable time. Therefore, we direct the second respondent to remove the lock and seal made to the premises in question within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order so as to facilitate the petitioners to rectify the defects and, thereafter, it is for the petitioners to comply with the deviations pointed out by the second respondent within a period of two months. On satisfaction of compliance so made by the petitioners, it is for the second respondent/authority to take a final decision on the matter in accordance with law. Till then, no coercive action shall be taken by the respondents against the petitioners.
8. The writ petition, accordingly, stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, W.M.P.No.7672 of 2017 is closed. Sd/- Asst.Registrar /true copy/ Sub Asst. Registrar bbr To:
1.The Commissioner, Ripon Buildings, Chennai - 600 003.
2.The Executive Engineer, No.72, Basin Bridge Road, Chennai - 600 021.
3.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Unit 13, Division 57, No.27, Seven Wells Road, Chennai - 600 001.
+1cc to Mr.A. Nagarajan, Advocate Sr. 18442 +1cc to Mr.R. Mohan, Advocate Sr. 18049 W.P.No.7041 of 2017 KK(CO) VR(06/04/2017)