Murasoli Trust’s Land Classification: Chennai Collector Clarifies Ryotwari Status in High Court

Chennai Collector provided clarity regarding the classification of the land where DMK’s Murasoli, is situated. The revelation comes amidst a writ petition filed in 2020, seeking to prohibit the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes (NCSC) from investigating the property’s title based on a complaint filed by a BJP functionary.

Additional Advocate General (AAG) R. Ramanlal, representing the Chennai Collector, informed Justice S.M. Subramaniam that Murasoli’s office is situated on Ryotwari land, as per the revenue records. The land is located in Egmore Taluk, Nungambakkam Village, Mahalingapuram area, specifically Block №36, Town Survey №622/38.

Submission was made during the hearing where the judge reserved the verdict on the writ petition filed by the trust in 2020. The petition aims to prevent the NCSC from inquiring into the property’s title based on the complaint, with arguments suggesting that only a civil court should decide on the title, especially when motivated by political interests.

AAG presented a detailed account of the property’s history, stating that the contentious 12 grounds and 1,825 sq.ft. were part of a larger extent of 22 acres and 79 cents. The land had been acquired by a German company in 1912, later liquidated, and subsequently sold through public auction. Parvathy Madhavan Nair, the wife of a former High Court judge, had purchased the entire extent in 1936, sub-divided it, and eventually sold a portion to Anjugam Pathipagam in 1974.