The Madras High Court has issued a statutory notice to J Kumaragurubaran, the former commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), in a contempt of court petition filed against him. The petition alleges that he disobeyed court orders regarding the rectification of bollards installed on pedestrian pathways that hinder the movement of wheelchairs.
Court Proceedings
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, dispensed with the personal appearance of the officer for the time being and adjourned the hearing to July 2. The order was passed on Monday in response to a contempt petition filed by Bhavana Botta, a disability rights activist.
Background of the Case
In 2023, Botta had moved the court seeking the removal of all bollards constructed in violation of the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Design Accessibility. These bollards obstructed the free movement of wheelchairs on pavements and other structures. Botta, who suffers from cerebral palsy, submitted that the bollards were erected in violation of statutes, leaving no space for a wheelchair or pram to pass through.
She specifically highlighted several locations where bollards obstruct wheelchair movement, including pavements outside the Central railway station, the pedestrian plaza in T Nagar, Poonamallee high road near Nehru Park station, and pavements near Loyola College.
Previous Undertaking
On September 12, 2023, the then advocate-general informed the court that he had instructed the authorities to take suitable action against the bollards causing hindrance to disabled persons. He assured that necessary rectification would be undertaken in compliance with the Guidelines and Standards for Universal Design Accessibility in India, 2021. The work was to be carried out by all authorities, as necessary instructions had been given.
Recording this submission, the then first bench disposed of the petition, expressing hope and trust that compliance would be made. However, since the undertaking was not honored, the petitioner has now moved the present contempt of court petition.
