The Hindu                11.06.2013

Coimbatore Corporation seals commercial complex

On charge of violating a court order.

The Coimbatore Corporation on Monday sealed a commercial complex at Hope College Junction on Avinashi Road on the charge that the promoters had violated a court order.

Based on instructions from senior authorities, a team lead by Town Planning Officer A. Varadharajan sealed the building in the morning. But that was not before an argument with the promoters P. Vasanthi and her daughter-in-law P. Poonkuzhali over a court order.

Ms. Poonkuzhali, daughter of M.K. Tamilarasu, is the granddaughter of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi

The couple had argued with the officials that their action would be in contempt of a Madras High Court order that said that while the promoters should not go ahead with the construction or bring to use the building, the Corporation should not demolish the building.

They had moved the court after the civic body sent a notice in February 2012 asking them to stop the construction forthwith as they had not obtained the final approval.

Violation

Mr. Varadharajan had told the promoters that they were forced to take the action because they had violated the court order by bringing into use the building by establishing a two-wheeler showroom.

He later told The Hindu that while the Court restrained the Corporation from demolishing the building, it did not say anything about placing the building under lock and seal.

In this case, the Corporation chose to act because the promoters had violated the court order that said they should not bring to use the building.

Once it came to light that the promoters had violated the court order, the Corporation had sought the opinion of the Advocate General A.L. Somayaji and only based on his recommendation did the Corporation go ahead and seal the building.

But prior to Monday’s action, the Corporation had issued notice to the promoters giving them sufficient time to react. But they chose not to do so, Mr. Varadharajan added.

The building had two basements, a ground floor and three more floors.

Reacting to the Corporation’s action, Ms. Poonkuzhali’s husband P. Premanand said that a principal district munsif order in the issue had clearly said that the promoters could enjoy the structure without making any changes. The order had also prevented the Corporation from acting against the promoters.

This was in addition to the Madras High Court order.

He alleged that the when the promoters presented an objection letter in writing, the Corporation officials refused to take it. They were asked to fight it legally.