The Kerala High Court on Wednesday asked the state government whether it was giving special treatment to its minister Thomas Chandy whose company allegedly violated the law to build a road in Alappuzha district, PTI reported. If Chandy was an ordinary citizen, he would have been evicted using bulldozers, said the bench.
The court was hearing a petition asking for a case to be filed against the transport minister. The government said it was investigating the accusations, and no special treatment had been given to Chandy.
Chandy’s company allegedly violated the Kerala Land Conservancy Act and Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act while building a road through paddy fields to his resort, the petition alleged.
Chandy belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party, an ally of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) party in the state. He said he built the resort 13 years ago, and it was not right to raise the allegations now, the Hindustan Times reported.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!