Return Pondy temple lands, Madras HC tells two BJP MLAs

CHENNAI: Madras high court directed two Puducherry BJP MLAs to return lands belonging to Sri Kamatchi Amman Devasthanam that were allegedly transferred illegally to them.

Justice S M Subramaniam has also ordered a probe by CB-CID into the matter and invoke provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act against the public servants involved in the scam.

The issue pertains to a plea moved by the Devasthanam and one of its devotees V Velmurugan to quash the registration of the temple lands to private individuals, including the two sitting MLAs- A John Kumar and Vivilian Richards John Kumar.

"Legislators are expected to be truthful and trustworthy public servants who thrive for the upliftment of people," Justice Subramaniam said.

The court further directed the Puducherry government to take possession of the property in entirety and hand over the same to the administration of Sri Kamatchi Amman Devasthanam, within four weeks.

According to the petitioners, about 2 acres of land belonging to Sri Kamatchi Amman temple had been illegally transferred to private individuals by tampering revenue records.

Denying the allegation, the two MLAs submitted that they are bona fide and innocent purchasers of the property and that they are not involved in any illegal transfer of temple property.

They added that they are willing to hand over the property back to the temple administration. Recording the submissions, the court adjourned the hearing after six weeks.


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