Family of man harassed after he complains about hawkers

CHENNAI: Family members of a resident, who had complained about illegal hawking around

Perungudi lake

, were harassed on Friday night by a group of

hawkers

who were evicted from the area. Though the Namma Chennai app and the corporation grievance redressal system promise to keep complainant’s identity a secret, the evicted hawkers got to know of the complainant, visited his house and questioned his clueless parents about the complaint filed with the corporation.


The incident highlights, yet again, how zone-level corporation officials not only fail to do their duty, but also have a notorious nexus with violators. They give out names of complainants, leading to intimidation and threat to

residents

and activists who raise their voice.

B Kannan of T Nagar said corporation officials responding to RTIs give names of the applicant to the party against whom information is being sought. On numerous instances, several residents and activists have told TOI about facing threats after filing complaints. “When I complained against an eatery which was an encroachment, my details were given to the owner of the eatery, who visited me and questioned me why I had complained,” said T D Babu, a resident who tried to follow the law. “Corporation officials told the owner they didn’t have any problem with the shop. They told the owner if he was able to convince me, they would not evict him,” said Babu.

He added that a lot of people refrain from raising complaints due to such problems. A senior corporation official told TOI that zoneal officials would be strictly warned againstresorting to such acts.