Elected Representatives Involved In Land Grabbing A Threat To Democracy: Madras HC

The Judge said, power trusted with the elected representatives and authorities are like a sword and they should be mindful, dutiful and should act with utmost responsibility and accountability. 

Madras High Court

Chennai: The elected representatives who are involved in land grabbing are not only dangerous but a threat to democracy, said Madras High Court while hearing a petition seeking compensation from authorities failing to act against local ward members who reportedly encroached government land. The High Court also said that such acts of the elected representatives was also the reason why constitutional courts insisted on not permitting candidates with serious criminal background from contesting in the elections. 

According to a DT Next report, the case was filed by a resident of Kabilakurichi village panchayat seeking Rs 10 lakh compensation from officials since they failed to act against local ward members for allegedly encroaching government land using political influence. The case came up before Justice SM Subramaniam for hearing but the judge rejected the petition since the petitioner had allegations of illegal water tapping using a motor. 

The Justice said, the Court is of the opinion that the elected persons are involved in land grabbing activities and they create a threat more than land grabbers without political role. Hence, these land grabbers with political power should be prosecuted, the Court said.

The Judge also said, the power trusted with the elected representatives and authorities are like a sword and the persons should be mindful, dutiful and should act with utmost responsibility and accountability. 

On the other hand, the Court said, the District Collectors who are informed about the offences including that of land grabbing are expected to take serious action since they receive first-hand information from the people. Some of the police or revenue officials are also actively or passively aligning with the land grabbers belonging to political parties, it said.