CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered notice to the Tamil Nadu Revenue Secretary and other respondents on a public interest litigation petition filed by T Velmurugan, MLA and president of Tamizhaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi, seeking directions to retrieve land under the occupation of a tea estate at Naduvattam in the Nilgiris.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan directed the officials to file their response within four weeks and adjourned the hearing.
In his petition, Velmurugan said he had received complaints from villagers during an inspection carried out as part of an Assembly committee visit, alleging harassment by Mahavir Plantations, which claims ownership of 3,500 acres in Naduvattam.
He alleged that the company had disrupted the construction of a government school at T R Bazaar.
The petitioner contended that the land under the company’s occupation is janmam land vested with the government. Despite being governed by the Tamil Nadu Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969, the transfer was allegedly effected without mandatory permission under Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forests Act, 1949.
Citing documents obtained through the Right to Information Act, he said the company’s claim over vast tracts of land was neither bona fide nor legally valid.
He further submitted that a representation made to the authorities was rejected by the Revenue Secretary on May 15, 2025.
Velmurugan has sought to quash the order and direct the authorities to retrieve government, forest and private patta lands from alleged illegal occupation by Mahavir Plantations, a Kochi-based firm.
Proceedings halted in Kanchi temple gold misappropriation
Chennai: The Madras HC has temporarily stayed proceedings in a criminal case concerning the alleged misappropriation of gold donated by devotees for making two panchaloha idols of Somaskandar and Elavaar Kuzhali Amman at the Ekambaranathar temple in Kancheepuram. Justice M Nirmal Kumar granted an interim stay while hearing a petition filed by chief sculptor Muthaiah Sthapathi.
The case relates to the alleged misappropriation of around 300 sovereigns of gold collected for the fabrication of the two idols. The idol wing of the economic offences wing registered a case against nine persons, including ex-commissioner of the HR&CE department M Veera Shanmuga Moni, Additional Commissioner M Kavitha, and Muthaiah Sthapathi The interim stay will remain in force until April 17.