Notice ordered on plea to preserve Gokhale Hall

Chennai, Sep 7, (UNI) The Madras High Court on September six ordered notice of admission to the Municipal Administration Department, CMDA, Chennai Corporation, and the Young Men's Indian Association (YMIA), on a public interest litigation(PIL) petition seeking a direction for taking steps to protect and preserve Gokhale Hall on Armenian Street, George Town here, as a heritage building.

In his petition, E Jayakumar of Old Washermanpet said he was a member of the YMIA, which owned the Besant Memorial Building (Gokhale Hall).

The hall had a unique place in history.

It was a meeting place for the public and leaders of various movements had addressed gatherings from the days of the freedom struggle.

It was a building of great significance not only for the present generation but also for future generations.

Its architecture and its huge dome were unique. The Government had a duty to protect such historic, cultural or architecturally important buildings from demolition and ensure their preservation.

The petitioner's interim prayer was an ad-interim injunction restraining YMIA from demolishing the building.

A Division Bench, comprising Justices P K Misra and K Kannan, posted the matter for September nine.

Earlier the High Court disposed a similar writ petition with a direction to file a civil suit.

UNI XR RSA VC1228