Latest news with #SSrimathy
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madras HC forms panel to decide time for Tiruchendur temple consecration
MADURAI: After objections were raised over the date and time fixed for the consecration of Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy temple, the vacation bench of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Wednesday appointed a five-member committee to take a fresh decision on the matter. A bench of justices S Srimathy and R Vijayakumar gave the direction while disposing of a batch of petitions filed claiming that the date and time (9 am to 10.30 am on July 7) allegedly chosen by the authorities was 'inauspicious'. They requested the court to direct the authorities to conduct the ceremony at 'Abhijith muhurtham' (between 12.05 pm and 12.45 pm) on the above date. The five-member committee includes one of the petitioners, Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthrigal, as well as Sabarimala Ayyappan Melsanthi (chief priest) and Pillaiyarpatti Pitchai Gurukkal. The committee could have a discussion and the majority decision could be finalised, the judges added. Subramaniya Sasthrigal said in his petition that he was responsible for fixing timings for poojas, festivals and all other events taking place in the Tiruchendur temple for the past 13 years. However, without consulting him, the temple authorities had chosen the date and time for the consecration, which is highly inauspicious and against the Agamas. Claiming that the ceremony is believed to be crucial for the welfare of the country, state and leaders and choosing an inauspicious time would have negative ramifications, he suggested the authorities change at least the timing to 'Abhijit Muhurtham'.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madras HC lifts interim stay on release of NIRF rankings
MADURAI: Lifting the interim stay on the release of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rank list for this year, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently dismissed a PIL petition alleging malpractices and lack of transparency in its evaluation. The direction came after the union government stated that a scientific method prescribed by an expert body is being followed for publication of the NIRF rank list. A division bench of justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy passed the orders on the plea moved by C Chellamuthu of Dindigul who stated that the NIRF rankings are calculated merely based on the data provided by the educational institutions on their website without any verification or auditing.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Madras HC bars private companies from extracting ground water for commercial use
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has granted interim stay restraining private companies in Vedasandur in Dindigul district from extracting groundwater for commercial use. A Division Bench of Justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy issued the order on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by N Ramachandran of Vedasandur. The petitioner stated that he had complained to officials about exploitation of ground water for commercial purpose. However no action was taken before he lodged a representation to the CM's grievance cell. Though officials assured to take action, no action has been taken so far. Further, he stated that five RO water bottling plants were extracting ground water without obtaining certification/licence. This may lead to significant environmental issue and scarcity of water. 'No government authorities have taken effective action despite several representations and communications,' he stated and requested the court to direct authorities to initiate criminal and civil proceedings against the companies and collect fine/compensation from them.
New Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Madras HC imposes Rs 75,000 cost on man for attempting to block property tax hike in Kodaikanal
MADURAI: Dismissing a plea moved by a man seeking to prevent the Kodaikanal municipality in Dindigul district from collecting enhanced property tax for his building, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently imposed a cost of Rs 75,000 on the litigant for attempting to hinder the revenue collection of a local body. A division bench of Justices G Jayachandran and S Srimathy made the direction in a plea filed by Baskar Vincent. The judges stated that the petitioner claimed to be the owner of a residential building for which property tax was fixed as Rs 13,398. Aggrieved over the municipality's recent tax hike, he challenged the general revision. The counsel of the Kodaikanal municipality stated that the local bodies provide for appeal if any assessee is aggrieved by enhancement of property tax. If at all the petitioner is aggrieved by the revision, he has to take recourse to the statutory remedy, and the public interest litigation is hence an abuse of the process of law, it stated. On perusal of the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, the court said that it is the 'private' interest of the writ petitioner which is projected as a public interest with an intention to stall the process of collecting revenue. Under the guise of residential premises, he had converted the property in the hills of Kodaikanal into a commercial building by letting it out for homestay purposes. By camouflaging his grievance under the garb of a PIL, an attempt is made to prevent the economic flow of the local body, the court added, before directing the petitioner to pay Rs 75,000 to the Kodaikanal municipality.
