The Times of India 11.06.2013
Civic body seals building owned by Karunanidhi's granddaughter
COIMBATORE: City corporation officials out on a lock and seal drive against a commercial building housing a two-wheeler showroom jointly owned by the granddaughter of former chief minister M Karunanidhi found themselves in a fix on Monday morning. The officials met with stiff resistance from the building owners, family members and their supporters who refused to adhere to the corporation's version that the building was constructed without obtaining proper permission. They accused the corporation officials of specifically targeting them but finally obliged and sidestepped for the authorities to lock and seal the building after about two hours of feverish negotiations and arrival of additional policemen to the spot.
"The building was constructed without obtaining building license from the corporation and had some deviations. The corporation has followed the proper legal channel to seal the building," said G Latha, commissioner, Coimbatore Municipal Corporation.
According to A Varadharajan, town planning officer of the corporation, the building jointly registered under the name of Poonguzhali , granddaughter of M Karunanidhi from his son Tamilarasu and P Vishwanathan, was erected without leaving proper set back in the front portion. The building was completed and being used as a two-wheeler showroom under the name Vasanthi Hero show room with both sales and service options to customers. The firm is also registered under joint ownership of Poonguzhali and her mother-in-law Vasanthi. The town planning officials claimed that the total area of the building is about 30,000 square feet, which has been constructed in ground plus three floors design with two basement levels.
Expectedly, the building owners disagreed with the civic officials. "We are being targeted as the corporation officials did not have any proper documents with them when they came to lock and seal our building. They served a notice to us on Friday asking us to vacate in 24 hours. It is unfair as we could not have responded to the notice during the weekend," said M P Premanand, Poonghuzhali's husband, told TOI.
Premanand alleged that corporation officials were acting on the instruction of some 'higher powers' against them. He also claimed that the matter was pending before the high court and district court and the corporation was not authorised to seal the building as the matter is pending before the courts. "We will explore more legal options now but as of now we are yet to decide our next move," Premanand added.
However, corporation officials claimed that they referred the matter for legal opinion from the advocate general's office and obtained a green signal to go ahead for them to seal the building.
According to officials, the planning permission was given from LPA in 2010 and the building construction was completed by the end of 2011. The civic body served notices on the building owners in 2012, but they sought legal reprieve from the high court and also the district munsif court.
One of the legal aides of the building owners present at the spot claimed that they will approach the court on Tuesday to override the municipal corporation decision.
As many as 40 people are employed at the showroom.
