Devotees urge Vijay to take steps to retrieve properties of Nungambakkam temple
They allege that more than 415 grounds belonging to Arulmigu Akilandeswari Sametha Agatheeswarar temple was illegally alienated by former temple trustees, along with certain officials of HR&CE Dept.
Members of the National Hindu Temple Federation have implored Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to take action in retrieving land ownership records of Nungambakkam temple. Over 415 acres of temple property have been illegally confiscated over the years by former trustees, in conjunction with HR&CE Department officials, according to the federation.
R. Amalraj, a federation officer, explained that several families were not hereditary trustees, yet they continued selling temple land under false pretenses. Dinesh Kumar of the Bharath Hindu Religious and Charitable Society cited the loss of a vegetable market and school as examples of the illegal land sales. He emphasized the lack of rent payments from tenants and the significant rental arrears.
K. Sriram, the federation's general secretary, demanded accountability for the officials involved in the illegal sales. The Madras High Court had directed the HR&CE Department to submit a report within six weeks detailing the extent of temple lands, sales, purchases, encroachments, and actions taken to remove them. The court extended the deadline upon the department's request.
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