State human rights panel seeks ATR from Housing Secretary, TNHB MD over threatening Peters Colony residents

NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, OCT 23

State human rights panel has ordered the Tamil Nadu Government to file its Action Taken Report (ATR) in a case of continuous harassment of government staff quarters in Chennai here on Friday.

Taking cognizance of the second complaint within a month alleging that an engineer was threatening the residents of Peters Colony by indulging in unlawful activities like removing household logistics of vacant flats to create panic and mental agony among the residents, the acting Chairperson D. Jayachandran of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Friday called for the Action Taken Report (ATR) against the concerned official from the Principal Housing Secretary and Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) within three weeks from Friday.

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In his order, the Chairperson said, “The complainant further sent the petition against the respondent Thiru Gandhi, Executive Engineer I/C, alleging that while a case is pending before this Commission, the respondent, again and again, tortured the allotters and violating their human right and also violated the order of the Honourable High Court of Judicature at Madras’’

The Commission has directed the Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Rajesh Lakhani to file a detailed report on both complaints dated September 21 and October 12, respectively. It also called for ATR against the official concerned over the allegations within three weeks from the date of the order.

TS Muthuselvan, Secretary of Peters Colony Residents Welfare Association, in his complaint lodged with the Commission on October 12 alleged that “TNHB executive engineer (in-charge) Gandhi was threatening the residents by indulging in removing of household logistics with the help of unauthorised persons to create panic and fear psychosis among senior citizens, women, and children during corona pandemic.

“The official is intimidating the residents through unlawful means which amounts to the denial of human rights and against the basic principles of Human Rights Framework,” Muthuselvan added.