HC seeks SC order copy on hawkers from Chennai Corporation

The Madras High Court has directed the Chennai Corporation to produce a copy of the Supreme Court order on hawkers, while dealing with a petition relating to issue of encroachment on NSC Bose road.

Chennai, Nov 30: The Madras High Court has directed the Chennai Corporation to produce a copy of the Supreme Court order on hawkers, while dealing with a petition relating to the issue of encroachment on NSC Bose road here.

The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice TS Sivagnanam Ramaswamy, gave the direction yesterday on a contempt petition by social activist Traffic Ramaswamy, seeking to punish the officials who disobeyed a court order on removal of encroachments on the road.

When the matter came up, the petitioner produced a copy of the letter sent by him to the Chairman of the Hawkers Committee on October 17 last, suggesting that the encroachment on the southern side of NSC Bose road be removed.

A report was also filed by the Chennai Corporation stating that all the encroachers from NSC Bose road were shifted to an alternative site at Ennore, and huts were demolished and road work was in progress.

When some photographs were produced by the petitioner, which showed yellow tents with blue roof top, the bench questioned the Executive Engineer G Chockalingam of the Chennai Corporation.

The official said the hawkers were permitted to put up tents in pursuance to the direction of the apex court, which permitted tents at a height of 6 to 7 feet. Recording the submissions, the court directed the officer to produce the order of the apex Court for its perusal and posted the matter for further hearing to January 17.

PTI