HC orders notice on PIL against ex-mayor

The Madras High Court on Monday ordered notice to the Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) and the Tamil Nadu government on a PIL seeking action against Ma. Subramanian, the former Mayor of Chennai, alleging that he had encroached upon land owned by SIDCO in Guindy.

A petition was filed by S. Parthiban alleging that Mr. Subramanian, the MLA of Saidapet Assembly constituency, had encroached upon land owned by SIDCO in Labour Colony, Guindy, and constructed a residential building. The property is currently in the name of his wife, Kanchana.

The petitioner, citing Mr. Subramanian’s nomination papers for the 2016 Assembly polls, said, “In his nomination papers he had stated that the property situated in Labour Colony was owned by his wife. But to the contrary, the property was originally allotted to S.K. Kannan by SIDCO on February 14, 1959. Kannan died on October 15, 2015, leaving behind six daughters and a son. “The legal heir certificate issued also confirms it, whereas the name of Kanchana, wife of Subramanian, is not found in the list of heirs,” he said.

Forgery alleged

Mr. Parthiban alleged that Mr. Subramanian, who was the former Mayor, by abusing his powers and using political influence, forged the documents and transferred the title of the property to his wife’s name.

Officials had failed to act or respond to his representation dated April 12, Mr. Parthiban said, and sought a direction from the court to the authorities to take appropriate action and retrieve the land. The Division Bench of Justice M. Sathyanarayanan and Justice P. Rajamanickam ordered notice returnable by June 26.