Madras HC Quashes Order Converting Jayalalithaa's Residence As Memorial

The Madras High Court has quashed the order of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the former ruling party of Tamil Nadu, of converting the residence of the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa, into a memorial. Jayalalithaa Residence

The residence of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is called Veda Nilayam and is situated  in Poes Garden of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The residential building comprises of office room, library, waiting room for guests and a conference hall.

Reportedly, the place was bought by Jayalalithaa's mother in the late 1960s. It was home to her for over three decades.

The Madras High Court Justice N Seshasayee set aside the order and allowed a few writ petitions that were filed by the niece of the late chief minister, J Deepa Jayakumar and her brother J Deepak on November 24.

The Justice cancelled the July 22, 2020, order of the Land Acquisition Officer in Guindy, Chennai. It was quashed under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013. On cancelling this, the judge directed the authorities that the keys of the property be handed back to the petitioners.

In addition to the judgement, the court permitted the Income Tax department to recover the dues, which is running in several crore rupees, from the petitioners.

J Jayalalithaa was an Indian actor and six times elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Commonly known as Amma, she died on December 5, 2016, at the age of 68.

Background

In the year 2017, the then Chief Minister of the state K Palaniswami had announced that the residential building will be converted into a memorial that will be open for the public to visit and remember Jayalalithaa popularly addressed as amma. Followed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopting a Bill in September 2020, which replaced an ordinance issued for the possession of the house and the government taking hold of the property. The residence was made open to the public as a memorial in January this year.

There was a counter-affidavit filed by the Acquisition Officer N Lakshmi who had said that converting the house of popular public leaders is a practice worldwide. According to her, this would attract tourists and the acquisition needs to consider as "falling within the means of public purpose."

Suggested Reading:

Kangana Ranaut Remembers J Jayalalithaa On Her Death Anniversary, Shares Pictures From Thalaivi Sets

J Jayalalithaa passes away, India loses political icon and women’s champion

Inauguration Of Temple Dedicated To Jayalalithaa In Madurai Today

Also Trending: