A private event management firm has approached the Madras High Court alleging that officials of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) demolished the firm’s Rs. 1-crore-worth property, which was erected on Island Grounds here to facilitate the ruling AIADMK to conduct its first election meeting on March 9.
The High Court has appointed an Advocate Commissioner to assess the damage, if any.
The private firm had entered into an agreement with the TTDC for organising the 42nd India Tourism and Industrial Fair 2016 on Island Grounds from January 1 to March 24.
“The contract provides another 40 days for the firm to remove its properties and equipment,” petitioner’s counsel senior advocate P. Wilson said.
The officials of the TTDC and the government started removing the property of the petitioner without allowing them to properly dismantle the equipment, causing damage to it, he added. The firm moved court on April 7 and sought an order of status quo. Despite the order, the officials continued removing the properties.
Mr. Wilson said the high-handed attitude of the authorities of not permitting the petitioner to remove the structures and demolishing to facilitate the AIADMK meeting could not be countenanced in law.
