The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Notice to Chief Secretary on Siruthavur land issue

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Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Notice to Chief Secretary on Siruthavur land issue

Special Correspondent

Writ petition challenges constitution the probe panel

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered notices on a writ petition challenging the constitution of the Justice K.P. Sivasubramaniam committee to probe the Siruthavur land issue.

Justice D. Murugesan issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of the Commission on a petition filed by T. Chitra, who had been summoned by the Commission.

The matter relates to the possession of lands assigned to Dalits and landless poor in 1967.

Alleging fraudulent land grabbing, agitations were conducted and representations submitted to the Government.

On July 27, 2006 the notification constituting the commission was issued.

In her petition, Ms. Chitra said the speed with which the representations were received and the Commission was constituted gave room for suspicion of mala fide motive on the part of the Government.

Stating that none of the 23 persons who had given representations to the Government were original assignees, she said an aggrieved assignee could always proceed as per law to claim possession of the land and get the title in his favour.

"Instead, political vendetta is being let loose involving wastage of Government money on an issue, which is purely a private affair," she said.

Ms. Chitra sought to restrain the Commission from proceeding further on the matter.

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