HC directs authorities to vacate police station by May 31,2007

Chennai, Aug 1 (UNI) Madras High Court today directed the authorities to vacate a Police Station in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar on or before May 31, 2007, as it was functioning in a place meant for hospital.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Mr Justice K Chandru gave the directive, following a submission from the Inspector conceding the fact that the police station was functioning in the place provided for a hospital.

The bench passed the order, on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) from L T Williams Moses of Sembiyam, praying for a direction to the Home Secretary and Chennai District Collector and Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) and the Chennai Corporation to adhere to the approved lay out plan by providing all infrastructure and create a hospital and auditorium, children's park and a library and consequently, direct the DGP, Commissioner of Police to shift the existing police station.

According to the petitioner, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar was formed in 1958 in a span of 21 acres. There are 544 residential units. The entire Nagar was designed and provisions were made for roads, play ground, park, hospital, school library and auditorium and so on. As per the lay out, four grounds were earmarked for establishment of a hospital.

The TNHB handed over the land to Chennai Corporation, which constructed an hospital in an area of 2400 sq ft only and it was functioning. The DGP and Commissioner of Police established the police station without concurrence from the District Collector and TNHB.

The hospital was suffering from want of space building and infrastructure. Because of the police station, the day to day activities are crippled to a large extent. Enough space was available nearby the police station.

The space earmarked for hospital should not be used for any other purpose, petitioner contended.

UNI XR SBA VV1855