The Madras High Court on Thursday ruled Chennai Metro Rail Limited has no jurisdiction to fine its maskless travellers and set aside CMRL’s earlier order levying and collecting a sum of Rs 200 from such persons as penalty.
The order, made in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, might have been issued in public interest and its intention might have been good. But CMRL has no jurisdiction or authority to do so, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu said.
The best-intentioned actions, not backed by the authority of law, cannot stand, the judges said.
