Court’s observation
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court observed that a house is not merely a structure of bricks and mortar, but a woman’s last refuge where her dignity is protected.
Petition over alleged demolition
The remarks came while hearing a petition filed by Malar, a resident of Kovilankulam near Usilampatti in Madurai district, who is living separately from her husband. She told the court she had been residing in a house on land owned by her, and alleged that a neighbouring landowner, Jaison Tamilselvan, along with Bhaskara Pandiyan and a person named Bill Gates, brought an earthmover and demolished the house claiming it stood on his land.
“Not just a civil wrong”
Justice L. Victoria Gowri said that even if someone claims rights over the land, they cannot evict an occupant or demolish a home without following due legal process. The court said the alleged demolition by influential persons without the support of law was not only a civil wrong but also an injury to constitutional values, and noted the allegation that police merely watched during the demolition as a failure of constitutional duty.
Directions issued
The court directed the three men to jointly rebuild the house at the same spot within three days and to pay compensation of Rs 50,000 each for the petitioner’s mental distress. It also directed the Madurai Collector to monitor the reconstruction and ensure necessary protection to the petitioner, and ordered police to complete the inquiry and file a report within four weeks. The matter was posted to June 2.
