CHENNAI: In a setback to the Tamil Nadu government, the Madras high court on Wednesday restrained it from opening the Poes Garden residence of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa to the public as a memorial.
Justice N Seshasayee, however, permitted the state to proceed with the ceremony of declaring open a memorial alone as scheduled on January 28.
“The building shall not be thrown open to public without the leave of the court. The main gate to the premises of Veda Nilayam alone can be opened during the function. The building shall not be opened at any time, even during the function, since taking the inventory of the movables and their valuation is not yet complete,” the court said.
“It is made clear that holding the function will not in any way confer any right on the government, nor deprive the petitioners of their right in the subject matter of the writ petitions,” the court added.
The court passed the interim orders while asserting that the right, title and the interest of the heirs of late chief minister cannot be marginalised.
The issue pertains to separate pleas moved by Jaya’s heirs J Deepa and J Deepak challenging the notification for acquisition of the residence into a memorial. Since the government has notified its intent to declare open the residence as a memorial in a function scheduled on January 28, the duo requested the court to step in.
Reserving adjudication on the primary challenge to February 24, Justice Seshasayee said that no flex banners or obstructive hoardings shall be placed, and that the city police commissioner is directed to ensure that no undue inconvenience is caused to those living in the locality.