CHENNAI: Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore Dr A M Chinnappa on Saturday dismissed all allegations related to irregularities in the management of John de Monte properties here managed by the Catholic Church.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Chinnappa said the proposal in 2001 to lease out 150 grounds of land in Bens Garden to a promoter of a leading educational institution was given up only on court orders. “Since this is a trust property, we must go by the court orders.”
Asked on the allegation that the promoter was continuing to hold possession of the property with the ‘discreet support’ of the archdiocese, Dr Chinnappa said he had been asked to immediately hand over its possession to the church. “He was taking care of the property only temporarily,” he said.
As regards another 50 grounds in Bens Garden, he said a case was pending in the court. The effort, initiated in 2007 to give on lease the entire 12-acre land did not materialise. “The church is exploring ways to effectively utilise the de Monte properties so that the revenue could be used for charitable purposes,” he said.