Court ban on registration of Pallikaranai marshlands

Justice N Kirubakaran, on holding that the facts revealed that marshlands are fraudulently or by design being encroached upon and alienated, directed the Inspector General of Registration (IGR), Chennai Zone, to direct all the Registrars in this regard and also obtain details of the documents regarding marshlands registered in various register offices in Tamil Nadu from 1990 onwards. 

The judge sought details on the extent of marshlands dealt with viz sale, gift, allotment, lease, licence etc., within the next 12 weeks. Further, the judge on directing the Joint Registrar, South Chennai Registration office, Saidapet, not to register any documents relating to Pallikaranai marshlands also sought the authorities to prohibit constructions of any kind anywhere in the marshlands. Besides this, the judge also wanted the authorities to verify whether pattas have already been changed in respect of marshlands in favour of private parties. 

“If pattas have been given, the authorities will furnish the details in whose names pattas have been granted from 1990 onwards. The above details should be furnished by November 28, the judge added. The judge also directed the government to issue paper publication informing the public about the prohibition on registration of any documents pertaining to marshlands. Incidentally, Justice Kirbukaran had taken cognisance of the destruction of the marshland while dealing with an anticipatory bail plea moved by two persons in 2015. 

As per the case, the persons who had sought for anticipatory bail in connivance with the accused, had fabricated documents to claim 66.70 acres in Pallikaranai belonging to the government for a meagre Rs 66 crore. They had clandestinely registered the document at the Royapuram sub-registrar office along with 453 sq ft of property in Tondiarpet by fraud. 

Justice Kirbukaran in his order also noted that land grabbers with the help of influential officials have resorted to clubbing parts of marshlands with some other properties located in various parts of Tamil Nadu and thereby clandestinely registering them in other districts. The Joint Registrar, Saidapet, alone is the competent authority to register land pertaining to Pallikaranai area including marshlands. The case has been posted for further hearing to November 28.