Interim relief to TNCA on rent arrears

Justice K Ravichandrabaabu, passing further interim orders on Friday on the writ petitions from the TNCA and MCC challenging the communications of the local Tahsildars demanding Rs 1,553 crore as lease arrears from both, said, “They shall not withdraw or realise the FDs either within six months or even after its expiry without the permission of the court.”

“In view of the FDs made by the petitioners, their bank accounts, which had been frozen, shall be released forthwith,” the judge added. Advocate-General Vijay Narayan also gave an undertaking that in view of the present interim order, the authorities concerned will not take any coercive steps against the TNCA and the MCC to enforce the impugned demand notices in each of the writ petitions. Recording

the undertaking, the judge posted the matter after six weeks with a direction to the authorities to file counters.

According to the TNCA and MCC, authorities have increased the rental demand suddenly to 20,713 times compared to the rent paid till 2000. “The association was a non-profit organisation that nurtures talented cricketers and provides world-class facilities for the game with an average annual income of Rs 25 to 30 crore and expenditure of Rs 22 to 23 crore.

The sum of total income generated by it would not come remotely close to the amount demanded by the Tahsildar,” the TNCA said.