Revenue officials in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district have physically verified the removal of fencing around government lands allegedly grabbed by Karnataka High Court Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran at Kaverirajapuram village.
Officials, including Tirutani Revenue Divisional Officer V.K. Jayakumar and tahsildar R. Vijayaraghavulu, went to the spot on Wednesday after they received information about attempts to destroy evidence of encroachment by removing the fencing. They were accompanied by police as there was fear of resistance.
The Revenue Department wants to preserve the evidence of fencing around poromboke lands in between and adjacent to patta lands since Collector V. Palanikumar already sent his report to the Supreme Court that 199.53 acres of land was in the judge’s possession.
“In our estimation, fencing covering over 1,200 metres has been removed. We have submitted our report to the Collector,” said Mr. Vijayaraghavulu.
Officials took pictures and videographed the evidence. There were holes where fencing posts once stood. Broken posts were also seen scattered in some areas. Barbed wires connecting the posts were missing in some places, though the posts were not taken away.
This is the second time the officials are visiting the area after receiving complaints. On October 10, they visited the land but retreated after a phone call, reportedly from Justice Dinakaran.
“They have removed fencing around kottai poromboke and yeri [lake],” said Mr. Jayakumar. The kottai areas were once owned by the Karvet Nagar Jameen.
According to the officials, Justice Dinakaran came to know about their arrival at his farmlands, and questioned them about the purpose of their visit. He spoke to both Mr. Jayakumar and Mr. Vijayaraghuvulu.
The officials explained that they could enter any land to survey the crops cultivated there. When the judge asked them why some non-officials were present, the officials assured him that none other than revenue and police officials was part of the team.
Revenue officials have confirmed that an eviction notice was issued to Justice Dinakaran and his family members a couple of months ago.
