Enquire allegations against VAOs, Bench orders Collector

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Tuticorin District Collector to enquire into the allegation that the village administrative officers of Pandavarmangalam, Kilavipatti and Manthaithoppu villages were illegally quarrying red sand from the hills situated in their locality.

Passing interim orders on a public interest litigation filed by one of the villagers, the First Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice K. Venkataraman directed the Collector to submit a report within two weeks.

Earlier, during arguments, the Special Government Pleader said that no such quarrying took place. But the petitioner's counsel produced a few photographs to prove his claim.According to the petitioner, M. Santhanapandi of Pandavarmangalam, the VAOs, in collision with a few private parties, were permitting quarrying of red sand without any permission from the Government. Though he brought the illegality to the notice of the Collector and officials, they did not initiate any action.

Source: The Hindu