CHENNAI: An order dated April 1 of a single judge directing the Picnic Hotel and others to surrender the land situated on Poonamallee High Road near central station back to the city corporation was upheld by a division bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday.The single judge had rightly held that the appellants — Picnic hotel and others — were not entitled to any injunction and there was no improper exercise of discretion warranting interference by this court, the bench comprising Justice R Banumathi and Justice B Rajendran said. By the order, the single judge had observed that considering the huge cost involved for renovation of Victoria Public Hall (VPH), its trustees had taken a wise decision to hand over possession of the same to the Corporation and this could not be said to be fraudulent. The judge added that it was open to the Corporation to issue notice to the hotels and others and proceed further for recovery of possession of the land in question from them. Hence, the present appeals.Dismissing them, the bench observed that the single judge had rightly dismissed the pleas and declined to grant any stay. The appellants were in occupation of large extent of prime land worth several crores for a meagre rent of Rs. 4,000 per month. Upon consideration of the facts and materials, the single judge had rightly held that the appellants/plaintiffs were not entitled for any injunction. There was no improper exercise of discretion warranting interference, the bench said.If any injunction was granted in favour of the appellants/plaintiffs, the same would stall the Metro Rail project, the bench added.
Comments
0 comment