Building of compound wall in Kovai airport stayed

Vacation Judge Justice MM Sundresh, besides ordering status quo in respect of the lands acquired, also issued notice to AAI and the District Collector, Coimbatore, returnable within eight weeks.

The direction had come about on a batch of 12 petitions, including that of D Ammini, a senior citizen, seeking to restrain AAI from constructing any compound wall till the lease amount due to them was settled and compensation amount for the land acquired from them determined.

As per the case, a land measuring over 100 acres was leased out to AAI by different owners of the land in villages covering Singanallur, Kalapatti, Uppilipalayam, and Irigur in Coimbatore district. Advocate P Bagyalakshmi, appearing for the petitioners submitted that as per the agreement the AAI had to pay the lease amount as per the guideline value and despite repeated requests and representations the AAI had not paid the lease amount due to the petitioners. 

She further argued that the state without obtaining any permission from the land owners and without even determining the compensation as demanded by them passed acquisition proceedings of the land for public purpose.