Takeover of land leased to Trust stayed

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has granted interim stay on a writ petition challenging a Government Order (GO) taking back six grounds leased to a trust devoted to promotion of fine arts, Tamil music and Indian culture.In his petition, Vazhuvoor Ravi, Secretary, Muthamizh Peravai Charitable Trust said his trust petitioned the government for allotment of land for conducting music performances. Subsequently, it was allotted six grounds of vacant land near Andhra Mahila Sabha. The land was leased to it for 30 years on a nominal lease amount in 2010. An auditorium was built with a carpet area of about 9,800 sq ft and completed in April 2011 at a cost of about Rs 4 crore. This was for encouraging young artists below the poverty line. The facility was inaugurated by former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on August 27, 2011.On November 9, the petitioner was asked to vacate the premises and hand over possession of the land and building to the PWD within 30 days through a letter dated November 5, 2011. The letter was challenged and the High Court granted an interim stay. The petitioner now wanted an interim stay on the impugned GO -based on which the letter was issued- pending disposal of the writ petition.”The GO does not cancel the lease in explicit terms. It wants the superstructure to be transferred to Tamil Development Department on payment of construction cost as per PWD valuation.” The petitioner argued that the GO was arbitrary, malafide and vindictive due to the change of the government and contended that it was liable to be quashed. The petitioner was not provided an opportunity of being heard, the plea said. Hearing the petition, Judge N Paul Vasanthakumar granted an interim stay.