The Madras High Court has issued statutory notice to Greater Chennai Corporation former Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, now serving as Commercial Taxes, Registration and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Secretary, in a contempt of court petition filed against him.
First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan directed the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer to respond to the contempt plea by July 2, 2026. They, however, dispensed with his personal appearance before the court for now.
Bhavana Botta, a disability rights activist from Chennai, had filed the contempt of court petition complaining about non-compliance of an order passed by the court on September 12, 2023 with respect to bollards, erected on many pavements across Chennai city, hindering free movement of wheelchairs.
The present contempt petitioner had originally filed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition in 2023. Then, she brought to the notice of the court that the bollards erected on several roads and pavements in the city were not in compliance with the Harmonized Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, 2021 issued by the Centre.
A Bench comprising the then Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu had disposed of the PIL petition after recording the submissions made by the then Advocate General R. Shunmugasundaram that the bollards, causing hindrance to the disabled, would be modified.
“Learned Advocate General submits that he has instructed the authorities to take suitable action against the bollards constructed, causing hindrance to the differently-abled persons. Necessary rectification would be undertaken and the same would be complied with as per the Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, 2021,” the court order read.
It also stated that “the said work would be undertaken by all the authorities, as necessary instructions have also been given to the authorities concerned. In view of the statement made by learned Advocate General, the petition stands disposed of”.
However, Ms. Botta had approached the High Court with the present contempt plea contending there had been wilful disobedience and non compliance of the order passed by the court on her PIL petition. She lamented the rectification works had not been undertaken till date.
Published - June 07, 2026 02:11 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
