S.Lalitha, v. The District Collector,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 20.04.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.GOVINDARAJ W.P.No.29865 of 2014 S. Lalitha ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Kancheepuram District Kancheepuram.

2. The Tahsildar, Chengalpattu Taluk, Kancheepuram District.

3. The Block Development Officer, Thiruporur Panchayat Union, Kancheepuram District ... Respondents Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ in the nature of writ of Mandamus to direct the first respondent to grant permission to the petitioner Panchayat to erect "Dr.Ambedkar" statute in the place earmarked i..e, in the land comprised in S.No.285/1, Mullipakkam Village, Thiruporur Panchayat Union, Chenglepet Taluk, Kancheepuram District.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Chandrasekaran For Respondents : Mr.Tippu Sultan Government Advocate (R.1 and R.2) No appearance (R.3)

O R D E R

The petitioner wants to erect Dr.Ambedkar statute at Mullilpakkam Village as a mark of respect to the great leader who strive hard for the well being of the socially suppressed and depressed people in those days.

2. The Village Panchayat Council passed Resolution to erect Dr.Ambedkar statute in S.No.185/1, classified as "Gramanatham", Mullipakkam Old Colony and sought permission from the first respondent.

3. In respect of erection of statute is concerned, it has to be decided by the Government and the permission will be accorded only by the Government.

4. On notice to the respondents, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents, on instructions, submits that the property is a public property, wherein, there is a park with compound wall and the petitioner cannot be permitted to erect statute and further submits that in the year 2014, the very same statute was erected without permission and the same was removed.

5. Considering the policy of the Government and also the considering the fact that the property is a public place, where the petitioner wants on erect, the request of the petitioner cannot be granted. However, it is open to the petitioner to purchase a property at her own cost and make a request to the Government for erecting the statute in the private property.

6. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner will work out the possibility of purchasing private property for erecting the statute and on purchase of the land, it is open to the petitioner to approach the Government and at that time, the respondents are directed to consider the request of the petitioner and pass appropriate orders. With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CO) // True Copy // Sub Assistant Registrar sr To 1.The District Collector, Kancheepuram District Kancheepuram.

2. The Tahsildar, Chengalpattu Taluk, Kancheepuram District.

3. The Block Development Officer, Thiruporur Panchayat Union, Kancheepuram District.

+1cc to Mr.R.Chandrasekaran, Advocate SR.No.26936 W.P.No.29865 of 2014 RK(CO) CB(03/06/2022)