In a significant development, the Madras High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate a case of alleged land grabbing on East Coast Road (ECR) involving individuals reportedly assisted by police personnel from the Greater Chennai City Police.
Justice G. Jayachandran, who presided over the case, issued a strongly worded judgment, expressing concern over the state of law enforcement in Tamil Nadu. He remarked, “It is indeed painful to note that the investigation agencies in this State have repeatedly exposed their inability to investigate cases dispassionately, effectively, and truly. If this sordid state of affairs continues, the poor and innocent public will have no protection from the police and as a sequel, they will lose their faith in the police…They may take shelter under powerful politicians and rowdy elements.”
The judge further criticized the police for their perceived inaction and complicity in land-related crimes, stating, “The court cannot be a mute spectator for all this lawlessness. It is high time the court takes note of the way in which the police functions in this State, more particularly of the violent incidents, including murder, which have happened in the last few months, which center around land grabbing with the help of rowdy elements and politicians.”
The case was brought to the court by petitioner T. Karthik, who sought police protection for his life and his property—a valuable 18.25 cents of land on ECR. Senior Counsel V. Raghavachari, representing Karthik, claimed that the petitioner was in possession of the land until 14 May 2024 when it was forcibly taken over by henchmen associated with an individual named Gopalakrishnan. The trespassers allegedly demolished existing structures on the land, with the police turning a “blind eye” to the incident.
Raghavachari also accused the Inspector of Neelankarai police station, Anandbabu, of supporting the trespassers. Despite complaints to higher authorities, an internal inquiry conducted by the Neelankarai Range Assistant Commissioner of Police allegedly resulted in a “farcical” investigation, clearing the Inspector of any wrongdoing.
Justice Jayachandran expressed deep concern over this pattern of behavior, noting that “the entire episode clearly indicates that the prime property lying alongside the ECR has been grabbed with the support of police. This is not the first occasion that this court comes across this sort of a case. It has become a routine affair and every alternate day allegations are levelled against the police joining hands with rowdy elements and making heyday thereby depriving lawful owners of their properties.”
He also highlighted the involvement of political elements in these cases, stating, “To make things worse, since political elements also are involved in these cases, the police remain mute spectators.” Given the circumstances, the court deemed it appropriate to transfer the investigation to the CBI. The central agency has been directed to form a special team to investigate Karthik’s complaint filed on 14 May 2024 and submit a final report within four months.
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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