Title: Court Orders Criminal Action Against Singanalluar ADMK MLA, BJP District Leader for Illegally Selling Government Surplus Land
In a significant development, the ICourt has ordered criminal action against Singanalluar ADMK MLA, BJP District Leader, and other officials who were involved in the illegal sale of government surplus land. The land, located in various parts of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, was acquired and declared as government surplus under the Land Limitation Act of 1961.
One particular parcel of land, measuring 45.82 acres and situated in Vilangurichi Village, Coimbatore North Taluk, near Water Pandal Road, was declared as government surplus in 1997. However, a petition was subsequently filed by the original owners of the land, demanding a lease for the property. Responding to the petition, the court directed authorities to consider their plea.
In 2011, without proper authorization or adherence to court orders, members of PSG’s family were granted a title deed to the land by the Coimbatore North Tahsil. Two years later, Jayaraman, now the Singanalluar MLA, and Balaji Utthamaramasamy, current BJP district president, purchased the land.
However, in a recent ruling, the ICourt confirmed that the 45.82 acres of land indeed belonged to the government as surplus land. Consequently, the court ordered the recovery of the land. In compliance with the court’s decision, the Coimbatore North Regional Transport Officer, Govindan, and Tahsildar Thangaraj reclaimed the land, putting up notice boards on eight of the ten survey numbers.
The current value of the land has been estimated at a staggering Rs 229 crore. While eight vacant plots have been demarcated with notice boards, the remaining land has been divided into 20 residential plots, with 23 houses already built. Notably, the BJP’s district president, Balaji Uttama Ramasamy, is among those who constructed a house on this disputed land.
After filing a complaint, including evidence and photographs, with the court, Judge SM Subramaniam ruled that criminal action should be initiated against both MLA Jayaraman and BJP district president Balaji Uttama Ramasamy. The court ordered the recovery of the land and requested a detailed inquiry to ascertain if any pressure had led to the change in land ownership.
Government office sources have indicated that a formal complaint will be filed against both individuals. This scandal has not only implicated the MLA and district president, but also officials who played a role in altering land ownership documents.
The Land Administration Commissioner, Nagarajan, has received commendation for his efforts in recovering government-owned lands worth thousands of crores in recent years. In recognition of his honesty and dedication, Judge Subramaniam has appointed him as the Special Investigation Officer in this case.
Moreover, it has come to light that in 2011, the Coimbatore North Tahsildar issued a lease for the disputed lands, ignoring both court orders and government documents. Subsequent conflicting statements from the Coimbatore North Regional Transport Officer and the District Revenue Officer have added further confusion. The judge has insisted on a thorough investigation into the role played by these officials, as well as the then Collector, and emphasized their eventual punishment.
The Revenue Department has written to the urban development department, urging the cancellation of approvals granted to these layouts. Officials have assured that they will carefully review the authorization details and take appropriate action.
As the legal proceedings move forward, it remains to be seen how the authorities will rectify this gross misuse of government surplus land.