Tamil Nadu Leader Petitions Madras High Court Over Alleged Illegal Land Occupation by Kerala Plantation Firm
In a significant legal development, Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) leader T Velmurugan has approached the Madras High Court, seeking judicial intervention to reclaim public lands allegedly illegally occupied by a private plantation company from Kerala. The case centers on the Naduvattam area of the Nilgiris district, where the firm is accused of holding approximately 3,500 acres of land parcels through questionable means.
Petition Alleges Collusion and Illegal Land Holdings
Velmurugan, who serves as a member of the State Public Accounts Committee and chairman of the State Assurance Committee, filed the plea highlighting serious allegations of land grabbing. According to the petition, the plantation company, identified as Mahavir Plantations based in Kochi, has been issued patta (land title) for government lands with the alleged assistance of a former district collector of Nilgiris. This has raised concerns about administrative collusion and misuse of authority.
The petitioner claims that during his visit to Nilgiris, he received numerous complaints from villagers and genuine patta owners. They alleged that the plantation firm, with the support of local goons and police, has been harassing residents and blocking their access to land, asserting ownership over vast tracts of both forest and non-forest areas. This has created a climate of fear and injustice among the local population.
High Court Directs State Government to Respond
Admitting the plea, the first bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file its response within four weeks. This order sets the stage for a detailed examination of the allegations and the state's stance on the matter.
Advocate R Mithesh, representing Velmurugan, presented the case before the court. He emphasized that the petitioner's position in key state committees lends credibility to the claims, as Velmurugan has access to official documents and insights into public account matters.
Specific Incidents of Land Dispute and Obstruction
The petition details specific instances where the plantation company's actions have directly impacted public welfare. One notable example involves the obstruction of a government school construction project. The Naduvattam block development officer (BDO) had proposed building a new, spacious school building on adjoining government land to benefit the local community.
However, the plantation firm moved the high court, claiming ownership of the land designated for the school. In a controversial turn, the district collector filed a counter affidavit supporting the plantation's claim, not only for the school land but also for other adjoining areas. Based on this affidavit, the court previously ruled in favor of the plantation, halting the school construction.
Petitioner's Investigation and Legal Demand
Velmurugan stated that he secured documents through the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and other sources, which revealed that the plantation's claim to such extensive land holdings, including areas allotted for school construction, was neither bona fide nor legally valid. This investigation forms the basis of his petition.
Therefore, the petitioner is urging the court to direct the concerned authorities to take immediate and appropriate steps to repossess and resume all forest and government lands currently in the possession of the plantation company. The goal is to restore these lands to public use and address the alleged injustices faced by villagers.
This case highlights ongoing issues of land rights, administrative accountability, and corporate influence in sensitive ecological zones like the Nilgiris. The court's upcoming proceedings will be closely watched, as they could set a precedent for handling similar disputes involving public lands and private entities in Tamil Nadu and beyond.
