The opening ceremony of ‘Veda Nilayam’ memorial, the residence of late Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo, J Jayalalitha was held here on Thursday. In a simple function, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami unveiled a plaque that declared the Veda Nilayam residence where the late leader lived -in posh Poes Garden area- a memorial in her honour and following takeover of the residential property by the government. The residential building shall, however, not be thrown open to the public without the permission of the court.
The about 50-year old residential property of Jayalalitha, Veda Nilayam, is located in upscale Poes Garden neighbourhood of the city and has been taken over by the government and converted into a memorial. Passing an interim order on petitions by Deepak and Deepa, nephew and niece of the late AIADMK supremo seeking a stay on the inauguration, the court ordered that the opening ceremony alone can take place as scheduled. The two have filed separate petitions challenging the government notification for acquisition of Veda Nilayam to convert it into a memorial and the award passed by the Land Acquisition Officer. Citing the pending matters, the court said the government should have refrained from opening the memorial. However, Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the court that arrangements for holding the function had been made and stay of the function might create considerable difficulties for the government and hence the court allowed the ceremony alone.
The right, title and the interest of the heirs of late Chief Minister cannot be marginalised, the court held. Once the function is over, the keys of the premises of ”Veda Nilayam” shall be handed to the court Registrar General by authorities since the valuable movables of the late Chief Minister to which the petitioners are now the heirs, have to be valued, the order said.
