Chennai Corporation retrieves 94 crore land from encroachers

The action was taken after the Supreme Court upheld the order issued by Madras High Court in favour of the civic body. 

“The Corporation had acquired 5.44-acre land in Shenoy Nagar in 1953. Later in 1987, it was learnt that the 1.04-acre land had been encroached upon with fake documents. The encroachers, N Devaraj and others also been paying tax for the land to establish their ownership,” a Corporation official said.

The official added that following the revelation, the patta was cancelled and the document was registered under the Corporation’s name.  

However, Devaraj and others approached the High Court which ruled in their favour. “They appealed in Supreme Court, but it upheld the High Court’s order on August 27. The value of the land is Rs. 94 crore,” the official said.

The officials locked the gates of the empty land and erected banners claiming the ownership of the retrieved land.