CHENNAI: THE Madras High Court has permitted a residents’ welfare association at Arumbakkam to approach the local police station for getting back the idols of a local temple, taken custody by police in 2007 following a land dispute.
Justice S Vaidyanathan granted the permission while dismissing a second appeal from one C Jayaraman claiming ownership over a disputed land in the area.
The Balavinayagar Nagar Residents Welfare Association had established its right over the disputed land through documentary and oral evidence, which had been accepted by the lower courts and the existence of a temple with a presiding deity at the intersection of the roads.
The lower courts were right in decreeing the suit in favour of the plaintiff association. Hence, it is open to the association to approach the police station concerned and get back the idol of the deity and perform rituals and poojas, in accordance with law without hindering the residents of the locality, the judge said.
Originally, the association filed a suit to restrain Jayaraman from encroaching upon the land belonging to Shri Bala Vinayagar and Shri Saptha Kanniamman Temple at Arumbakkam.
The association contended that Jayaraman who had purchased the adjoining property, was attempting to encroach the temple land. He had also damaged the structure of the temple to take over the temple land.
The Arumbakkam police took away the idols kept in the temple to its safe custody in 2007.
The trial court decreed in favour of the association. Jayaraman’s appeal was dismissed by the appellate court. Hence, his second appeal. It was also dismissed by the judge on June 13.