Temple property retrieved

The occupant built a G+2 structure with four shops, a gym, and a party hall

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department on Wednesday took possession of land measuring 3,627 sq ft on CTH Road in Villivakkam belonging to Sri Agatheeswarar Temple. The land had been rented out and the tenant had sub-let it to another person. The rent arrears totalled ₹50.34 lakh to the temple. The second party had constructed a G+2 structure with four shops, a gym, a party hall and an office space on the land worth ₹5 crore. “Since the person defaulted on payment of rent, we filed a case for retrieving the land under Section 78 of the HR and CE Act, and the Joint Commissioner’s Court had directed us to remove the encroachment. However, the tenant filed a case in the Madras High Court, which directed us to approach the Commissioner’s court. The party filed more cases, refusing to vacate. The High Court directed us to immediately remove the encroachment and report to it,” said an official in the department.