Residents have no right over land around Srirangam temple: Court

Trichy: The Trichy district court on Friday ordered that ‘adimanai' (tenant holdings) land parcels around the Srirangam temple belong exclusively to Lord Ranganathaswamy, and those residing there have no right to claim ownership.The court ordered that all houses constructed on them must be removed, and the residents must vacate within three months. It further ordered the cancellation of any pattas or deeds previously issued for these plots in the past. In 2007, 41 individuals who have been residing in houses built on temple-owned land for several generations filed a petition in the Trichy additional district court seeking pattas (deeds) for their respective plots. After 19 years of litigation, judge P Swaminathan delivered the judgment.The judgment has left residents living on temple land in the four streets of Srirangam in shock. They pointed out that following the Inam Land Abolition Act of 1963, the Tamil Nadu govt had issued pattas to the residents in 1969.Speaking to TOI, Suresh Venkatachalam, president of the Srirangam Nagara Nala Sangam, said the verdict would directly and indirectly affect several thousand people. "The residents have lived here for generations and have paid taxes to the govt for years. Suitable legal moves will be taken against the verdict," Venkatachalam said.The residents have appealed for the support of MLAs, ministers, and the state govt to intervene in the matter. "We request the state govt to intervene and save the families from eviction and displacement," Venkatachalam added.