Koyambedu land row: Advocate commissioner appointed

A division bench comprising Justice KK Sasidharan and Justice P Velmurugan on perusing an affidavit filed by the State in this regard appointed advocate Geetha as advocate commissioner. 

Earlier, the bench on taking strong exception to the State government taking a U-turn on the court order directing the authorities to re-convey the land had summoned the Chief Secretary and three others. 

On their appearance on Tuesday, the bench sought to know as to how the State, which never mentioned about the land being used even while moving an appeal and special leave petition at the Supreme court has taken a different stance now.

The bench pointed out that even when the contempt plea in this regard was taken up, the housing secretary had come up with an affidavit of implementing the court order. But now, the stance of the state has gone through an overnight change despite the court order emerging on the facts submitted by the State. 

The Advocate General Vijay Narayan on producing certain Google maps of the area pointed out that the acquired lands were used and hence the Sate was willing to accord the petitioners with alternative sites. The AG also insisted the court can appoint an officer to find for itself whether the said lands are available or not.