Madras HC slams medical college board for illegal construction in response to PIL

CHENNAI: Madras High Court has closed a PIL filed by a social activist against a medical college run by the Muthukumaran Educational Trust, for alleged illegal constructions, observing that it expects "such persons (influential persons) to behave more responsibly to society as a whole."

"Breach of law is an exception and not the rule," the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam

When the PIL by 'Traffic' Ramaswamy came up for final hearing on March 9, Medical Council of India submitted that an amendment was introduced to Medical College Regulations, 1999, for establishing medical colleges, saying that applicants should get a certificate from local authorities to the extent that the land should be registered in their name and building plans must be approved.

The Bench slammed the officials for first allowing unauthorized construction and then under the guise of regularization, regularising the violations.

It observed that "it has become tendency to flout law by influential persons in society who feel they can get away with everything. Such constructions require investment of material and manpower and though they may be privately owned, the destruction is also a loss to the society at large."

The bench noted that some portion of the construction was beyond planning permission norms and demolition was ordered by the authorities concerned. But the trust had not complied with it.

'Traffic' Ramasamy sought action against the officials for misconduct and abuse of executive powers.

CBI which is probing the case submitted that proper action has been initiated against the owners of the trust.

The bench recorded the submissions of the authorities that action has been taken and it would continue and closed the PIL.