CMDA erred in sending demolition notice to AIADMK

Chennai, June 4: The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) may have ''erred'' in sending notice to demolish the AIADMK headquarters for alleged violation of building rules, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has said.

Addressing a public meeting here last night on the occasion of his 84th birthday, he said, the CMDA might not have been aware of the May 26 Cabinet decision, deciding to appoint a retired Supreme Court judge to review the notices issued by the CMDA for alleged violations before approaching the apex court seeking to review its earlier order for demolition of illegal constructions.

''The CMDA had issued notices in 30 such cases, without realising that the Cabinet had made such a decision,'' he added.

Mr Karunanidhi, however, said mere issuance of notice did not mean immediate demolition. ''Only if the party or persons concerned do not reply to the notice or if the reply is unsatisfactory, the demolition process will be initiated.'' He said AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was unnecessarily reacting because her ''illegal construction'' at Kodanadu Estate in Nilgiris district had come under the scanner.

UNI