A significant legal battle has erupted in Chennai concerning the alleged illegal use of public land within a housing complex meant for government officers. A resident of the TAISHA-II housing complex has approached the Madras High Court, seeking the demolition of constructions built on land specifically reserved for public open space.
Court Admits Plea Against OSR Land Violation
The petitioner, V Jaishankar, a flat owner in the TAISHA complex, has filed a case against the Tamil Nadu government and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). He has requested the court to direct the authorities to demolish the unauthorized structures and restore the 29,500 square feet of Open Space Reserve (OSR) land. On Monday, Justice V Lakshminarayanan admitted the plea and directed the concerned authorities to file their responses.
According to the petition, the TAISHA project was developed under a special 'own your housing scheme' designed to offer affordable homes to All India Service officers of the Tamil Nadu cadre and other government employees. The complex consists of five independent blocks, each with a high-rise tower (Basement + Stilt + 19 floors) containing 114 flats.
Shocking Discovery of a Permanent Indoor Stadium
The crux of the dispute lies in the use of the OSR land. As per the original approved plan, the project only disclosed basic common amenities and did not include facilities like a clubhouse, swimming pool, gymnasium, or courts. In 2020, a land parcel measuring 29,500 sq ft was formally gifted to the CMDA to be used for public purposes, with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) acting as its custodian. This land is located on the eastern side of the complex, abutting an existing 18-metre road.
The issue came to light on November 3, when Jaishankar saw a message in the residents' social media group about the construction of a 'wooden floor shuttle court.' Upon visiting the site, he was shocked to find a massive, permanent indoor stadium already constructed. The facility, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, houses two shuttle courts and one squash court.
Allegations of Unauthorized Construction and High Costs
The petitioner alleges that the stadium, built at a cost of ₹6.46 crore by the Tamil Nadu All India Service Housing Association-II, is a clear violation. He states that the construction was carried out without obtaining the written consent from at least two-thirds of the allottees of the housing society, as required.
Further compounding the alleged illegality is the design of the structure. The stadium is provided with a vestibule doorway that connects directly to the clubhouse of the residential building. No separate public entry has been provided to the stadium, effectively making it an exclusive amenity for the complex residents rather than a public utility as mandated for OSR land.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between urban development, adherence to approved plans, and the preservation of vital open spaces meant for community use. The High Court's upcoming proceedings will determine the fate of the costly stadium and set a precedent for how such violations are handled in the city.
