HC sets norms for auction of Kalaimagal Sabha lands

Chennai: Madras high court laid down a procedure to carry out the auction of the beleaguered Kalaimagal Sabha's four land parcels in Coimbatore and Tiruvaur, scheduled for April 2. Recording a joint report submitted by the special officer of Kalaimagal Sabha and the one-man commission, which listed the auction process, a division bench of Justice Anita Sumanth and Justice Sunder Mohan asked the commission to nominate two independent valuers for valuation of lands in certain survey numbers of Bilichi village, Coimbatore. The order follows a complaint by senior counsel V R Kamalanathan and G Mohana Krishnan, who told the bench that the properties had been undervalued. The court directed special govt pleader Selvendran to instruct the tahsildar, Mettupalayam, to issue notice to the joint pattadars in lands in Mooduthurai and Bilichi, and decide whether names should be removed from pattas. The court directed compliance with the instructions within four weeks and sought a report. The case was adjourned to April 2. Though the auction notice said bids would be accepted till March 27, the joint report said the date of e-auction was scheduled for April 2 and the successful bidder would be announced the same day.