The Chennai High Court has warned that ministers and government officials will face severe consequences if pattas are issued to encroachers on water bodies, forest department land, and temple lands in violation of a High Court order.
A plan was made to construct a multi-storey commercial complex opposite the Rajagopuram on the eastern side of the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, and for that purpose, a government order was issued by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department on Sept. 14, 2023. Challenging this government order, D.R. Ramesh, Radhakrishnan, and others filed a case in the Chennai High Court.
When these cases came up for hearing on Thursday before the bench comprising Judges G. Jayachandran and I. Manoharan, a report was filed on behalf of the Tiruvannamalai District Collector. It was also stated that out of the Rs. 6.40 crore handed over to the Public Works Department for constructing a commercial complex opposite the Rajagopuram, Rs. 6.10 crore had been recovered.
After reading the report filed by the administration, the judges questioned how buildings were constructed on land belonging to the Forest Department along the girivalam path. We will never allow pattas to be issued to those who have encroached on Forest Department land, water bodies, and temple lands. However, one minister has said that even if the High Court rules against it, we will issue pattas to encroachers.
We do not know whether this is what the people elected you for, or with what courage the minister said such a thing. They warned that if pattas are issued to the encroachers on these lands, the government and government officials will have to face severe consequences. We will not hesitate to take criminal action against them as well.
This High Court is not only investigating encroached lands, but also examining documents. We are also conducting inquiries in person. If, after such an inquiry, a minister or official tries to alter the orders we issue, they will have to face serious consequences. If anyone brings encroachments to the attention of the High Court through a public interest litigation, the government has a duty to remove the encroachments immediately on the basis of the orders issued by the High Court.
A committee was formed in 2024 to remove encroachments in the Tiruvannamalai forest area, temple lands, and water bodies. Several reports have been submitted on behalf of that committee. However, the judges expressed dissatisfaction that no action has yet been taken by the Revenue Department, the Forest Department, or the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
At that time, on behalf of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, it was stated that the department does not have the authority to issue patta for such lands.
Following this, the judges hearing the case asked, “What action have you taken so far to remove the encroachments on temple land?” and, directing that the government be informed about the warning issued by the High Court, adjourned the hearing.
