In a significant ruling safeguarding open spaces for children, the Madras High Court has issued a directive to the Tamil Nadu government, ensuring that a school playground in Tuticorin district is preserved exclusively for educational and recreational purposes. The court's order came while hearing a plea against potential construction on the playground land.
Court's Directive on Playground Protection
The bench, comprising Justice G Jayachandran and Justice K K Ramakrishnan, was adjudicating a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by petitioner V Aravinth. The PIL sought judicial intervention to prevent any construction on the playground of the Sri Muthu Malaiamman Government Higher Secondary School located in Siruthondanallur, Tuticorin district. The petitioner's primary concern was to preserve this vital open space for the school children's use.
During the proceedings, the state government presented its position. It clarified that the school is situated on a substantial 8.67 acres of land, which was originally a gift from the public. The government's plan involved constructing an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to benefit rural students, along with a multipurpose centre intended to provide shelter for distress victims.
Government's Assurance and Court's Scrutiny
Authorities emphasized that the proposed constructions were earmarked for different survey numbers and would not reduce the existing playground area. The state submitted that the ITI and the multipurpose centre would be built without encroaching upon the space designated for the children's playground.
The division bench meticulously examined the submissions. The judges took formal note of the fact that the playground area was not being utilized for the proposed ITI and the multipurpose centre. Crucially, they recorded a clear undertaking from the state government.
Formal Undertaking and Disposal of Petition
The state provided a firm commitment, assuring the court that at no point in the future would the playground area of the school be disturbed or used for any other purpose. This undertaking formed the cornerstone of the court's decision.
Satisfied with this assurance, the Madras High Court disposed of the petition. The order effectively binds the state authorities to their promise, legally mandating that the playground must remain a protected zone for the school's educational and recreational activities. This ruling highlights the judiciary's role in balancing development projects with the essential need for preserving community assets like school playgrounds.
