The Madras High Court has issued a stern warning to state officials, demanding a clear explanation for the controversial reclassification of a vital water body in Chennai. The court stated that failure to provide a satisfactory justification could lead to the complete demolition of a newly constructed police station and other buildings on the site.
Court Questions Legality of Land Reclassification
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan expressed strong skepticism during a hearing on Monday. The hearing was for a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Arappor Iyakkam. The PIL challenges the construction of a police station on the Thamaraikani lake bed in Sholinganallur.
The bench pointed out a glaring discrepancy in official records. The Semmencherry water body, originally spanning 61 hectares, was historically recorded in revenue documents as ‘Thangal, Meikkal and Salai’ (water body, grazing ground, and road). However, the court noted that in an unsigned extract from the Adangal register, the crucial term ‘Thangal’ (water body) was mysteriously omitted, leaving only ‘Meikkal’ and ‘Salai’.
"Under what authority was such reclassification done?" the bench questioned sharply. The judges sought to know how and by whom the word signifying a water body was removed from the records, and under what official proceedings this change was authorized.
Shrinking Water Body and Unauthorized Constructions
The court highlighted the alarming environmental impact, noting that the once-extensive water body has now "shrunk drastically." Despite its clear designation in revenue records, it was reclassified as a grazing pathway road, paving the way for construction.
Furthermore, the bench observed that the issue extends beyond just the police station. "Several other buildings have also been constructed at the site," the court pointed out, indicating a wider pattern of encroachment or unauthorized development on the ecologically sensitive land.
Strict Deadline and Demolition Threat
During the proceedings, when the state government sought more time to provide an explanation, the bench made its position unequivocally clear. The court set a firm deadline and warned of serious consequences.
Unless a proper and lawful explanation is provided by the authorities, the court will order the complete removal of all constructions on the reclaimed water body land. This direct ultimatum underscores the court's commitment to protecting water resources and enforcing legal due process.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing to January 27, giving the state administration a final opportunity to present its case. The court's earlier hearing on September 27 had first uncovered the 2006 proceedings by the Kancheepuram district collector that initially recorded the 151.9 acres with its full, correct classification.
