The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : PCB asked to pay litigation cost

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Saturday, May 30, 2009
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Kerala - Kochi

PCB asked to pay litigation cost

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has slapped Rs.1 lakh as litigation cost on the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) for ‘inordinate delay’ in taking action on a complaint of drinking water contamination.

Half the amount will be recovered from the Senior Environment Engineer, Ernakulam, Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan said in the order. The court held that he was personally liable for the delay.

The court came down heavily on the PCB and observed that if the officers of the board functioned in this manner, the board would not be able to safeguard the interest of the common man.

The order came on a petition filed by one Padmini Narayanankutty of Aluva. According the petitioner, the water in her well was getting contaminated due to the presence of a septic tank nearby.

She lodged a complaint with the Chengamanad grama panchayat in March 2008.

The grama panchayat had forwarded the complaint to the KSPCB. However, no inquiry had been conducted even after one year, the petition said.

Abduction case

A Bench comprising Justice R. Basant and Justice M. C. Hari Rani on Friday directed the Superintendent of Police, Kottayam, to monitor and oversee the investigation into the case relating to the abduction of a married woman.

The Bench issued the order on a petition filed by Baiju P.G. of Mundakkayam, the woman’s husband. According to the petition, he married Anuja Rossselin Shaji on April 4, 2009.

He alleged that his wife was been forcibly carried away from his home on May 21 by someone at the behest of her mother, Susamma T. Chacko. The government pleader told the court that efforts would be made to complete the investigation and trace the woman immediately.

The Bench also directed the Superintendent of Police to file a report about the outcome of the investigation. The case will be taken up on July 15.

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