The Times of India 07.11.2009
High court order halts corporation eviction drive near Victoria Hall
CHENNAI: Chennai Corporation on Friday removed encroachments on the Victoria Public Hall premises ahead of the heritage building's restoration. However, the exercise had to be stopped in the evening after traders got a status quo order from the Madras high court.
Justice Prabha Sridevan and Justice KK Sasidaran directed the advocate commissioner to file a report on the status of the property as on Friday, following the submission made by the senior counsel appearing for shop owners that valuables still remain in the shop and they were forcibly evicted. The case was adjourned for Monday.
The high court had on Wednesday permitted the local body to evict 32 shops from the premises. Traders approached the court, after the corporation's land and estate department served them notices in August, giving them seven days to move out. It will help restoration of the heritage structure under the centre's flagship urban infrastructure upgradation programme, JNNURM, at a cost of Rs 3.23 crore.
About 150 police personnel, led by deputy of police (Kilpauk) AT Duraikumar provided security, while corporation officials came with an army of staff, besides ten bull dozers, loaders and lorries. The personnel had a tough time chasing away onlookers, some of who tried to take away the mangled remains.
The VP Hall was designed by Robert Fellows Chisholm and built between 1888 and 1890. The civic agency leased out 3.14 acres of land (approx 57 grounds) to the VP Hall Trust Board in the People's Park for 99 years from April 1, 1886. Even as the the lease of the VP Hall Trust Board expired in 1985, the lease was not renewed in favour of the board. Also, being a lessee, the trust board has no power to sub-let it to a third party (traders).
"That is why we directed SIAA and traders to vacate the premises at once," officials said. Though South Indian Athletic Association (SIAA) was occupying the premises for more than three decades, conducting its sporting and clubbing activities, traders had spread out on five grounds of the sprawling premises without official sanction.
Justice Prabha Sridevan and Justice KK Sasidaran directed the advocate commissioner to file a report on the status of the property as on Friday, following the submission made by the senior counsel appearing for shop owners that valuables still remain in the shop and they were forcibly evicted. The case was adjourned for Monday.
The high court had on Wednesday permitted the local body to evict 32 shops from the premises. Traders approached the court, after the corporation's land and estate department served them notices in August, giving them seven days to move out. It will help restoration of the heritage structure under the centre's flagship urban infrastructure upgradation programme, JNNURM, at a cost of Rs 3.23 crore.
About 150 police personnel, led by deputy of police (Kilpauk) AT Duraikumar provided security, while corporation officials came with an army of staff, besides ten bull dozers, loaders and lorries. The personnel had a tough time chasing away onlookers, some of who tried to take away the mangled remains.
The VP Hall was designed by Robert Fellows Chisholm and built between 1888 and 1890. The civic agency leased out 3.14 acres of land (approx 57 grounds) to the VP Hall Trust Board in the People's Park for 99 years from April 1, 1886. Even as the the lease of the VP Hall Trust Board expired in 1985, the lease was not renewed in favour of the board. Also, being a lessee, the trust board has no power to sub-let it to a third party (traders).
"That is why we directed SIAA and traders to vacate the premises at once," officials said. Though South Indian Athletic Association (SIAA) was occupying the premises for more than three decades, conducting its sporting and clubbing activities, traders had spread out on five grounds of the sprawling premises without official sanction.
