News Tamil Nadu

NGO Arappor Iyakkam Accuses DMK Minister Raja Kannappan Of ₹411 Crore Land Grab, Complaint Filed With DVAC

October 22, 2024
The Commune

The Arappor Iyakkam, an anti-corruption organization, has filed a complaint with the Director of Prevention of Corruption and Vigilance, alleging that DMK Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Higher Education, Raja Kannappan has embezzled government land valued at ₹411 crore through his sons. The complaint includes substantial evidence detailing the alleged encroachment of nearly five acres of government land located on Chennai’s GST Road.

Following the organization’s announcement to reveal details about the minister’s actions, a wave of excitement has surged not only within Tamil Nadu’s political circles but also among opposition members. The specific allegations against Minister Raja Kannappan have been made public via the Arappor Iyakkam’s X handle, which included documentation and evidence of the land he allegedly usurped.

The complaint states that Minister Raja Kannappan has unlawfully taken control of 4.75 acres of government land situated in Parangimalai Village, identified as Survey No. 1353, through his sons. The organization asserts that the land, which is adjacent to the BSNL Office between Alandur Metro and Nanganallur Metro, has been misappropriated due to the minister’s influence.

The complaint was submitted by Jayaraman, the leader of the Arappor Iyakkam, who called for immediate recovery of the government land and requested that a First Information Report (FIR) be filed against all involved public servants, including Minister Raja Kannappan. The complaint has been sent to several high-ranking officials, including the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and Revenue Minister, demanding urgent action.

The complaint cites evidence from the Revenue Department that confirms the land in question is indeed government property. It references a letter from the Alandur Tahsildar’s office from 2015, which stated that several survey numbers, including 1352 and 1353, were government-leased lands and that no deed registration should occur for these parcels. The Tahsildar requested the cancellation of any prior registrations.

Historically, much of the government land in Parangimalai village was leased during British rule and was reclaimed by the government post-independence. The sons of Minister Raja Kannappan—Prabhu, Diwakar, and Dilip Kumar—are currently the directors and shareholders of Deccan Fun Island and Hotels Pvt. Ltd., a company allegedly implicated in the land acquisition.

From 1991 to 2018, the company reportedly executed several deeds to acquire land in the disputed survey numbers. The Arappor Iyakkam’s complaint includes evidence of these deeds, indicating a pattern of illegal land acquisition. The company was originally registered under a different name, Kathia, in the 1990s and has undergone changes in ownership, now directly tied to the minister’s sons.

Despite the 2015 notice from the Tahsildar, no actions have been taken to cancel the deeds registered for the encroached land. The complaint highlights that in 2018, Deccan Fun Island and Hotels Ltd. executed a deed claiming that the land had been recovered from a mortgage for ₹7 lakhs, despite the minister’s sons being current shareholders and directors.

The Pallavaram District Collector has previously indicated that 12,984 square feet of land in Survey No. 1352 was recovered last year; however, the encroached government land under Minister Raja Kannappan’s control has yet to be recovered.

According to the current government guideline, the value of the disputed land is estimated at ₹11,000 per square foot, totaling approximately ₹226 crore. The market value in this prime location is believed to be at least ₹20,000 per square foot, bringing the total value of the land to around ₹411 crore. The complaint suggests that the Revenue Department’s inaction is due to political pressure exerted by Minister Raja Kannappan, who is accused of using his authority to amass considerable wealth through illicit means in the name of his sons.

The Arappor Iyakkam has attached extensive documentation—over 101 pages—as proof of their allegations, which can be accessed on their X page. They have demanded immediate recovery of the land and an investigation into the alleged misconduct of Minister Raja Kannappan, his sons, and the relevant officials who failed to act against this land grab.

Who Is Raja Kannappan?

Minister Raja Kannappan currently serves in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party as a minister. He has held various political positions, including serving as the Minister of Public Works, Highways, and Power in Jayalalithaa’s cabinet from 1991 to 1996. After forming his own party, Makkal Tamil Desam, in 2000, he allied with DMK and later rejoined them after a brief stint with the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

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