The HR&CE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments) department, in collaboration with the revenue department, has initiated action to reclaim land belonging to the Prassana Venkatesa Perumal temple, which was illegally encroached upon by Gnanasekaran, a suspected DMK functionary and the accused in the Anna University sexual harassment case. As the investigation progressed, the Revenue Department and HR&CE discovered that not only was the land encroached upon by Gnanasekaran, but 26 buildings had also been unlawfully constructed on the temple land. The departments have begun measuring the land, and the assessment work is currently ongoing.
Reports indicate that during an investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), it was discovered that Gnanasekaran, the accused in the Anna University on-campus sexual harassment case and reportedly a DMK functionary, had illegally constructed a three-story building on land belonging to a temple without obtaining legal permissions.
Gnanasekaran is alleged to have led a double life, engaging in various illegal activities, including committing burglaries at night, participating in political party affairs during the day, running a biryani shop in the afternoon, and sexually harassing students in the evening. Known for his involvement in over 20 criminal cases, he reportedly used intermediary funds to acquire properties and build structures. As part of the investigation, the SIT attempted to seize his properties. It was revealed that his three-story residence, where he lives with his two wives, was constructed on land owned by the Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple. While this property was not included in the criminal case, the HR&CE department was informed about the encroachment.
Following this, HR&CE officials carried out inspections on Mandapam Road and Kottur Erikarai Street, where Gnanasekaran’s house is located. A review of the land records revealed that 1 acre and 17 cents of the land belonged to the temple. The inspection, led by Guindy Tahsildar Manimekalai, involved a detailed measurement of the property.
Further inspections were conducted by HR&CE officers, including Tahsildar Thiruvenkadam and Temple Administration Officer Narayani, who went door-to-door. They uncovered that 26 other families were also occupying temple land and building structures. Authorities have now begun the process of removing these encroachments and reclaiming the temple property.
கோயில் நிலத்தை ஆக்கிரமித்து வீடு கட்டிய 26 குடும்பங்கள்.. குஸ்கா ஞானசேகரன் வீட்டை அகற்றும் அறநிலையத்துறை…!#Chennai | #CharitableDepartment | #AnnaUniversityIssue | #LandIssue | #Temple | #House | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/U1K0HAC3rR
— Polimer News (@polimernews) January 8, 2025
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