PIL on Munnar demolitions dismissed by Kerala HC

Kochi, May 28 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking production of all records and files relating to the demolition of buildings and resorts in Munnar.

Dismissing the PIL, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Mr Justice K T Sankaran said any person who had constructed resorts by spending huge amount of money which 'had been destroyed by the state machinery,' can approach the court by filing an appropriate petition.

Describing the petitioner as nothing but an ''interloper who wants to espouse the cause of resort owners,'' the Bench added ''this type of shadow boxing, we do not intend to encourage.'' The petition, filed by Advocate Boben Varghese, had also sought a direction to the state government not to demolish any existing buildings and resorts and also the roads and gardens maintained for the use of resorts.

It also sought that any illegally constructed buildings be taken over by the government and used for the benefit of tourists.

UNI