Sacked DMK councillors move Madras high court against dismissal

Chennai: Two DMK councillors in GCC have moved Madras HC on Monday challenging their dismissal by govt last month. They were among four councillors one each in Tambaram and Usilampatti to be removed from their posts over allegations of misconduct. While C Jaya Pradeep, a councillor in Tambaram, had already approached HC, K Sakuntala of Usilampatti municipality moved a separate plea challenging her dismissal. The present petitions have been filed by ward 19 councillor V Babu of Pallikaranai and ward 5 councillor K P Chokkalingam of Thiruvottiyur. Admitting the petitions on Monday, Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad directed state govt to file its response by April 21.

Jaya Pradeep said allegations were levelled against him by his political rivals, and that the irregularities were committed by municipal authorities.

Govt said action against Babu followed complaints from residents and officials. A water supply scheme for 4,800 houses was initiated in Pallikaranai, and residents were required to apply for household connections online. However, Babu told residents that they would not receive connections unless they met his assistants, the authorities said.

Chokkalingam, the younger brother DMK MLA K P Shankar, was dismissed over allegations of obstructing road relaying work at Neidhal Nagar Main Road.tnn