Three booked for demolishing building despite stay order

Police said that the dispute has been going on for the past four years. Srinivasan has been running a tea shop in the building for the last 17 years. When Rajendran decided to sell the property to a private hospital four years ago, he issued notices to the tenants. While others vacated, Srinivasan refused to leave the premises as it would affect his livelihood. The owner was arrested in past for his attempt to forcefully evict him. 

On Sunday night, the owner’s son Balaji brought down the structure with a dismantling machine. Srinivasan, who came to open the shop on Monday, was shocked to see the state of his shop. He registered a complaint at the Aminjikarai police station. Rajendran, Balaji and Gokuldas, who aided the demolition, were booked based on the complaint. They are absconding.

Sources said that Balaji is working in a nearby private hospital, which expressed interest to buy his property. Since Srinivasan refused to vacate the premises and got a stay order from court in his favour, it irked the owners and it led to the demolition.