HC orders removal of flag poles in front of Kodaikanal hotel

MADURAI

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed the Commissioner of Kodaikanal Municipality to remove encroachments on platforms and road margins in front of a hotel.

Hearing a petition filed by N. Munirathnam, proprietor of a hotel, a division bench of Justices M. Venugopal and Abdul Quddhose directed the Commissioner to remove the encroachments within two weeks. The right to order eviction rested with the municipality, it observed.

The petitioner said that political parties, without any authorisation, had erected flag poles on platforms and road margins in front of the hotel, causing hindrance to free access to the hotel building. Access to vehicles was made difficult as a result of the flag poles, said the petitioner.

He said that political parties frequently indulged in flag hoisting ceremonies in front of the building, causing nuisance and denying access to the hotel and its restaurant. The right to trade was affected as a result, said the petitioner.

Though a representation seeking removal of the flag poles was sent to the authorities concerned, no action was taken so far. Hence the writ petition was filed, said the petitioner.