The Tamil Nadu government has successfully reclaimed a valuable piece of land from a private soap company. The 14.5-acre land parcel, located in Ponneri in Thiruvallur district, is estimated to be worth around Rs 150 crore. This action was initiated following protests from residents of Orakkadu village who had expressed their frustration over the government’s delayed response to removing encroachments on the land.
The residents had previously erected boards two years ago, declaring that the land belonged to the government. Their intention was to utilize the land for the construction of an anganwadi, a community childcare center, but the illegal structures erected on the property by the soap company hindered the project.
Jaya Soap Company, the manufacturer of Ponvandu soap, contested the eviction in court. They claimed to have legally purchased the land in 2006 and presented a patta (land title deed) issued in the names of their directors: AJ Saravanan, S Uma, and J Pushpam. However, the revenue department refuted their claim, stating that the land was classified as ‘grama natham’, which translates to village land, and thus ineligible for private ownership.
The Ponneri Revenue Divisional Officer reinforced this classification in May 2022, leading to a legal battle between the company and the government. The soap company secured an interim injunction against the anganwadi construction, further delaying the project. Despite this setback, funds were allocated for the anganwadi in 2023, prompting the company to approach the Madras High Court.
In June, the high court directed the Thiruvallur court to conduct a thorough hearing involving all parties and issue necessary orders. This recent development signifies the government’s commitment to addressing land encroachment issues and ensuring the rightful use of public land for community welfare projects.
