HC denies relief to shopkeepers at Chinnalapatti market from eviction

Madurai: Madras high court has denied relief to shopkeepers of the daily vegetable market in Chinnalapatti in Dindigul, seeking to restrain the authorities from evicting them.
The court was hearing the petition filed by P Nagapandi. The petitioner also sought to allot shops to the existing shopkeepers in the new market, which is to be constructed.
The petitioner stated that there are 85 vegetable shops operating in and around the market, and the livelihood of their families depend on these shops. The authorities are planning to demolish the existing market building and construct a new one, which is proposed to be auctioned at a higher rate. If this plan is implemented, the livelihood of the traders, who are currently selling vegetables, would be adversely affected.
The govt pleader submitted that the market is in a dilapidated condition, and therefore the authorities decided to demolish the building and construct a new one, which is to be auctioned.
A division bench of justice J Nisha Banu and justice S Srimathy observed that considering the fact that the market is in a dilapidated condition, the relief sought by the petitioner cannot be granted. However, after the construction of the new building, the existing shopkeepers, if willing, may participate in the allotment process. The authority concerned shall consider their applications sympathetically, the judges observed and disposed of the petition.