The Madras High Court has ordered the CSI Trust management, which was illegally occupying 12.66 acres of land worth ₹800 crores at the heart of Erode, to hand over that land to the government.
The CSI Trust illegally operates a church, educational institute, hostels, and hospitals on 12.66 acres of land near Panneerselvam Park in Erode. The CSI management created fake documents claiming that the land was obtained through an auction from the then-British government 100 years ago, and then requested the Survey officer that the land be transferred to the CSI and a title deed be issued. Following this, CSI trust got the title deed for the 800 crore property.
However, the Special Tahsildar of Erode, who was skeptical of the title deed, petitioned the Administrative Commissioner of Revenue against the CSI management, requesting an investigation. Following an investigation, it was discovered that the land belonged to the government and that the CSI management was illegally occupying it using forged documents. Later, the trial was held in the Madras High Court after the CSI management decided to appeal the Revenue Commissioner’s orders.
Recently, Justice M. Thandapani of the Madras High Court issued an order in this case. Madras High Court Advocate Jayganesh stated in this regard:
” A person named Bobley purchased 12.66 acres of land in the heart of Erode from the British government in 1905 for a London missionary for ₹12,910. Later the place was enjoyed by CSI Trust Management. The place had the then Sub-Collector’s bungalow and grounds around it. However, after the British left, the CSI administration brought the entire place under their control.”
He continued,” On June 30, 2010, Erode Settlement Officer gave the Patta for the land to CSI before few days of his retirement. The then-Special Tahsildar of Erode filed an appeal with the Commissioner of Revenue Administration against the Settlement Officer’s decision. The Commissioner of Revenue Administration ordered an inquiry into the land occupied by the CSI management.”
He proceeded, “The Special Tahsildar of Erode summoned all parties and informed them that the land, valued at 800 crores under current guidelines, belonged to the government. He submitted a 30-page investigation report to the Commissioner of Revenue Administration saying that the land has to be handed over to the government. Meanwhile, according to Erode Corporation’s ‘Master Plan – 2,’ an 80-foot road can be built from a portion of the area to the railway station.”
The CSI and Trustees filed a case in the Madras High Court against the government’s order. The suit has been joined by a group of devotees of the famous Mariyamman Temple, which is located outside the 12.66-acre plot, and the Erode People’s Welfare Association. This case went to trial in 2015. CSI filed the sale certificate for the land they already owned on behalf of the trust management.
Petitioners stated in their affidavit, “Except for the building built by the CSI Foundation for social work on 12.66 acres of government land, the CSI administration has been paying an annual rent of ₹1 per one acre. According to the terms of the agreement, CSI and Trust Management have been paying rent to the government. However, the government has refused to collect the rent beyond the specified period.”
Therefore, the devotees and the government informed the court that, with the exception of the buildings constructed by the CSI Trust, all of the other land belongs to the government.
After examining the documents, Justice M. Dandapani of Madras High Court said, “Because the land belongs to the government, the Erode Corporation can immediately take it for the construction of an 80-foot road in a portion of it. Furthermore, the Chief Secretary, the Secretary of Revenue, and the Commissioner of Revenue Administration should ensure that the road works proceed smoothly.”
He directed that the rest of the land, except for the buildings of CSI, be reclaimed by the government.
(with inputs from Dinamalar)
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