In a unique grievance, residents of the Lovely Nagar in Thudiyalur have sought and won the intervention of the Madras High Court to make the Corporation clear some encroachments made by it.

According to M. Balasubramaniam, member of the Lovely Nagar Welfare Association, Corporation officials had illegally set up a water sump in the 27 cent site carrying the DTP approval layout number 526/91 and site number 342 in Ward 2.

Balasubramaniam alleged that the site was allotted for the construction of a park for the residents of the area. “The officials further started to construct a compound wall around the sump but the efforts were foiled by the residents who protested against the construction,” he added.

He also informed that some locals also attempted to construct a temple in the site with the help of the local authorities to which the residents protested and the plan was dropped.

Taking the matter to the High Court, Balasubramaniam filed a case against the Corporation stating that any encroachment on the site should be roughly dealt with and evicted and in a judgment, Justice T.S. Sivagnanam ordered the Corporation to clear out any encroachments and demanded for a report for the same.

In the judgment copy dated 23.02.2016, the Judge has also asked the Corporation to not allow any encroachment as the site was allotted only for the construction of a park.

Following the judgment, Corporation officials arranged for an earthmover to clear the encroachments. However, no officials were present during the demolition.

Subramaniam alleged that the earthmover only cleared the pavements and not the entire construction.

“The officials should adhere to the judgment and if they fail to do so it would be contempt of court and we would seek the intervention of the court again,” he said.

A higher official from the city Corporation said officials would go by the judgment.