S.Tamilarasi, v. The Commissioner,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 07.11.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN and WMP.Nos.31903 & 31904 of 2016 S.Tamilarasi .... Petitioner Vs 1.The Commissioner Chennai City Municipal Corporation Ripon Buildings Chennai - 600 003.
2.The Superintending Engineer Bus Route Road Department Chennai City Municipal Corporation Ripon Buildings, Chennai - 600 003.
3.The Zonal Officer Zone-XIII 115, Dr.Muthulakshmi Salai Adyar, Chennai - 600 020.
.... Respondents For Petitioner : Mr.T.Ranganathan For Respondent : Mr.M.Suresh Kumar Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mr.E.C.Ramesh Standing Counsel for R1 to R3 1/7
ORDER
The petitioner approached this Court on account of rampant encroachments on the footpath commencing from City Link Road to Kakkan Nagar, Adambakkam, Chennai. Repeatedly, the respondents had undertaken steps to remove the encroachments and on few occasions, they even removed the same, but, promptly, the encroachments mushroomed again.
2. When the matter came up on 28.10.2025, Mr.T.Ranganathan pointed out that the respondents are not removing the encroachments which are recent in origin, despite their undertaking given to this Court on 13.03.2025. Taking note of the submissions, I called upon Mr.E.C.Ramesh, as to why the Corporation authorities are permitting the mushrooming of encroachments. Mr.E.C.Ramesh submits that if two weeks time is granted, the encroachments will be removed and reported to this Court.
3. I recorded the said statement of Mr.E.C.Ramesh as an undertaking given by the respondents, and in case any breach arises thereof, directed the 2/7
Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply, to be present before the Court. I listed the matter today for reporting compliance.
4. When the matter was called, Mr.M.Suresh Kumar, representing Mr.E.C.Ramesh, produced a report filed by Mr.S.Sendhil Kumaran, Assistant Commissioner (Senior Grade), Zone 13, Greater Chennai Corporation, holding the position of Zonal Officer. The deponent has stated that in compliance with the order of the Court dated 28.10.2025, all the temporary encroachments obstructing the footpath of the pedestrians have been removed by the Greater Chennai Corporation on 04.11.2025. He has enclosed a bunch of photographs to substantiate this submission. The report also states that a statute, which was installed under a tree, by the persons worshiping at Sri Sakthi Kanniamman Temple, had not been removed, on the request made by the Managing Trustee of the Temple. The report further states that the Trustee has sought time till 10.11.2025 to remove the idol that has been placed on the footpath. The said letter is scanned and extracted hereunder :
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5. As the order dated 28.10.2025 has been complied with, except for removing the idol, the writ petition is closed. There shall be a direction to the respondents not to permit encroachments afresh over the footpath from 4/7
Chakrapani Road to Kakkan Nagar Bridge and City Link Road. The respondents shall ensure that the idol is removed, in case, the Trustees do not remove it by 10.11.2025.
6. With the above directions, the writ petition is closed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 07.11.2025 ds 5/7
To:
1.The Commissioner Chennai City Municipal Corporation Ripon Buildings Chennai - 600 003.
2.The Superintending Engineer Bus Route Road Department Chennai City Municipal Corporation Ripon Buildings Chennai - 600 003.
3.The Zonal Officer Zone-XIII 115, Dr.Muthulakshmi Salai Adyar, Chennai - 600 020.
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V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J., ds 07.11.2025 7/7