Vijayakant's property acquired by NHAI

Chennai, May 16 (UNI) With all his efforts to save his party office -cum-marriage hall in the prime Koyambedu area here coming to nought, actor-politician Vijayakant today finally handed over the property to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to enable it to build the proposed road over bridge project.

Soon after the NHAI's move to acquire the marriage hall, the actor had knocked on several doors to protect his property and had fought a legal battle at the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court. The DMDK leader had even prepared an alternative plan for the project, excluding his property, and submitted it to the NHAI.

However, it was rejected by the NHAI.

After the Madras High Court refused to accept his plea, the actor's wife Premalatha filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, which also declined to provide relief.

However, they once again moved Madras High Court, seeking time till August 31 to demolish the structure, as marriage functions had been booked till that date. But, the court did not entertain the plea, following which the actor gave a written undertaking to the court that they would hand over the property to the NHAI by May 15.

Mr Vijayakant removed all valuable items from the structure yesterday and his wife went to the office of the NHAI and handed over a letter giving up the property.

Following this, the NHAI authorities officially acquired the property and started demolishing the structure.

UNI