IIT’s Krishna gate to remain shut

CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Tuesday refused to direct the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras to reopen Krishna Gate – one of the four entrances to the campus.

In December last, the IIT-M administration closed the gate citing security reasons as one of the girl’s hostels is located close to the entrance.

Refusing the relief sought by D Hari Krishnan, a resident of the area, a division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha directed the petitioner to give a representation to the institute.

“Such a representation shall be disposed of by the institute by disclosing the decision to the petitioner in four weeks,” the bench said.

According to the petitioner, the gate which was used by the students, teachers and the residents of the area for more than 50 years has been closed suddenly by the IIT-M without any justification.

“The gate was primary access to two schools on the campus,” the petitioner said.

Besides the residents of the area, even students and teachers of IIT have been affected by the closure and they are continuously demanding for reopening of the gate, he added.

Refusing to accept the contention, the court wondered whether the petitioner was espousing the cause of hotels and other shops that would benefit if the gate was opened.