Rs 4K crore Meenakshi temple land encroached: Thiruthondar Sabai chief

Radhakrishnan along with members of his organisation visited the Mattuthavani bus stand with a survey map indicating properties of Meenakshi Amman Temple. They discussed about the steps to be taken to restore the properties of the temple.

Following it, while addressing the media, Radhakrishnan said that more than 50 acres of land, belonging to Meenakshi temple, opposite to the bus stand had been encroached. The land was donated by one ‘Sooravali’ Subbaiyar for conducting prayers on Mondays, Fridays and on the days of Pradhosham.

Also, the land was donated to conduct lessons for students of ‘Yajur Pada Salai’ and to cook food for them and help in their stay.

The land was also given for celebrating the Chithirai festival of the Meenakshi temple but the land had been encroached gradually since 1932.

Under section 34 of the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Act of 1959, if a land belonging to a temple should be sold, the application should be made to the HR&CE Commissioner in Chennai and advertisements should be given in newspapers though none of the rules were followed.

In this manner, land worth Rs 4,000 crore belonging to the temple had been encroached with the overt help of officials. If steps are not taken to retain the land, they could not be retained in future. Their organisation is also mulling to file criminal cases against HR&CE officials, said Radhakrishnan.

He added that 170 acres of land belonging to the Tirupparankundram Murugan temple too has been encroached upon and they will take steps to recover it.