Petition moved to quash notice to Jaya's estate

Chennai, June 9 (UNI) A petition was today moved before the Madras High Court, seeking to quash a notice of the President of Kodanad Village Panchayat, demanding certain documents pertaining to Kodanad Tea Estate, allegedly owned by AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa and her close aide Sasikalaa, failing which action would be taken.

Mr Justice A Kulasekaran, before whom the petition filed by R Ravichandran, Manager of Kodanad Estate, came up for hearing, adjourned further hearing to June 12, after listening to both sides.

In his petition, Ravichandran denied the allegations that certain rules were violated while constructing the building and a Palace-like building with 90 rooms' had been built. These allegations were levelled for political reasons, he submitted.

Events contrary to law started occurring from May last, when Local Administration Minister M K Stalin visited the Nilgiris District and passed comments on the Estate and when a woman member of an influential political family purchased a vast tea estate in the area. Later, several persons representing the government made unauthorised attempts to enter the estate, a private property, he contended.

He received a letter dated May 30, from the Panchayat President stating that he had instructions from his higher-ups to inspect the estate. Meanwhile, another letter dated June 4, was sent by the President stating that on May 31 inspection of certain buildings was made and certain discrepancies were noticed.

Hence, he wanted him to submit certain records, failing which action would be taken under Rule 34 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Buildings Rules (read with section 217 (J)) of the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, Ravichandran added.

UNI