India
End of Madras Race Club? TN cancels 1946 land lease deed | India News – Times of India
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday nullified a 1946 colonial-era lease agreement that allotted 160 acres of land in the Chennai suburbs Guindy to Madras Race Club (MRC) for 99 years at an annual sum of Rs 614.13 which the club paid in advance. The British lease ensured that there was no provision for future rent reviews.
A government order was issued to terminate the lease with immediate effect and the Chennai District Collector was directed to seize the land. The MRC has been given 14 days to remove all movable property.
The order justified the decision: “The land now serves a limited purpose for a few individuals interested in horse racing, recreation and entertainment. It is in the public interest that such a priceless green area should be made accessible to the general public by providing public utilities, offices, gardens and open spaces.” The dispute over the prime real estate parcel escalated on Monday morning when revenue officials sealed the club’s six gates. Chennai Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade said: “We are taking this action based on a government order.”
In response, the MRC approached the Madras High Court, where the state government clarified that its order was only a notice of termination of the lease 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 the MRC,” said Solicitor General PS Raman to the HC bench. On September 4, the court had allowed the government to terminate the lease if it was legally permissible. The government based its decision on the report of the district collector and the need for land for public purposes. MRC has 30 days to apply for compensation for structures permitted under the lease agreement dated April 1, 1946.
Following this, MRC filed an urgent motion in Madras HC, reiterating that a notice and time to vacate must be given before eviction. The court granted MRC liberty to challenge the government order and future proceedings, thereby disposing of the petition.
A government order was issued to terminate the lease with immediate effect and the Chennai District Collector was directed to seize the land. The MRC has been given 14 days to remove all movable property.
The order justified the decision: “The land now serves a limited purpose for a few individuals interested in horse racing, recreation and entertainment. It is in the public interest that such a priceless green area should be made accessible to the general public by providing public utilities, offices, gardens and open spaces.” The dispute over the prime real estate parcel escalated on Monday morning when revenue officials sealed the club’s six gates. Chennai Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade said: “We are taking this action based on a government order.”
In response, the MRC approached the Madras High Court, where the state government clarified that its order was only a notice of termination of the lease 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 the MRC,” said Solicitor General PS Raman to the HC bench. On September 4, the court had allowed the government to terminate the lease if it was legally permissible. The government based its decision on the report of the district collector and the need for land for public purposes. MRC has 30 days to apply for compensation for structures permitted under the lease agreement dated April 1, 1946.
Following this, MRC filed an urgent motion in Madras HC, reiterating that a notice and time to vacate must be given before eviction. The court granted MRC liberty to challenge the government order and future proceedings, thereby disposing of the petition.
