CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu govt annulled on Monday a colonial-era lease deed from 1946 that granted 160 acre in the Chennai suburb of Guindy to Madras Race Club ( MRC ) for 99 years for an annual sum of Rs 614.13 that the club paid upfront. The British lease ensured there was no provision for future rent revision.
A govt order was issued, terminating the lease with immediate effect, and directed the Chennai district collector to take possession of the land. MRC has been given 14 days to remove any movable properties.
The order justified the decision: "The land now serves a limited purpose of a few individuals interested in horse racing, recreation, and entertainment. It is in the public interest that such an invaluable green area be made accessible to the larger public by provisioning public utilities, offices, gardens, and open spaces." The dispute over the prime parcel of real estate escalated on Monday morning when revenue officials sealed the club's six gates. Chennai collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade said, "We are taking the action based on a govt order."
In response, the MRC approached Madras high court, where state govt clarified that its order was only an intimation of the lease termination and that possession had not yet been taken. "Separate proceedings will be initiated to terminate the lease and take possession of the property after issuing notices to MRC," said advocate-general PS Raman to the HC bench. On Sept 4, the court had allowed govt to terminate the lease if legally permissible. The govt based its decision on the district collector's report and the need for land for public purposes. MRC has 30 days to apply for compensation for permitted structures in accordance with the lease agreement from April 1, 1946.
Following this, the MRC filed an urgent motion before Madras HC, which reiterated that notice and time to vacate must be given before eviction. The court granted MRC the liberty to challenge the govt order and future proceedings, closing the petition.
A govt order was issued, terminating the lease with immediate effect, and directed the Chennai district collector to take possession of the land. MRC has been given 14 days to remove any movable properties.
The order justified the decision: "The land now serves a limited purpose of a few individuals interested in horse racing, recreation, and entertainment. It is in the public interest that such an invaluable green area be made accessible to the larger public by provisioning public utilities, offices, gardens, and open spaces." The dispute over the prime parcel of real estate escalated on Monday morning when revenue officials sealed the club's six gates. Chennai collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade said, "We are taking the action based on a govt order."
In response, the MRC approached Madras high court, where state govt clarified that its order was only an intimation of the lease termination and that possession had not yet been taken. "Separate proceedings will be initiated to terminate the lease and take possession of the property after issuing notices to MRC," said advocate-general PS Raman to the HC bench. On Sept 4, the court had allowed govt to terminate the lease if legally permissible. The govt based its decision on the district collector's report and the need for land for public purposes. MRC has 30 days to apply for compensation for permitted structures in accordance with the lease agreement from April 1, 1946.
Following this, the MRC filed an urgent motion before Madras HC, which reiterated that notice and time to vacate must be given before eviction. The court granted MRC the liberty to challenge the govt order and future proceedings, closing the petition.
