HC stays TN Govt on taking back Asian College land

Chennai, Nov 16 (UNI) Madras High Court today stayed operation of a Tamil Nadu Government order dated October 17 issued by the Chennai District Collector seeking to resume land measuring 1.74 acre granted to the Media Development Foundation (MDF), for running the Asian College of Journalism.

Mr Justice K Raviraja Pandian granted the interim stay on a petition filed by the MDF, seeking to quash the government order and restrain the authorities concerned from interfering with the petitioner's use and occupation of the land in Kalikundram village.

According to the petitioner, the land was allotted by an order dated December 29, 2004. The MDF was taking prompt steps to construct the college building. However, the Collector without taking note of this, arbitrarily initiated the October 17 proceedings on the ground that the land was kept vacant, it was required for some other public purpose and no legal agreement was executed.

The October 17 order also sought surrender of land within 30 days.

UNI XR AA SY RS2027