The 3.93-acre parcel forms part of the properties of the Annamalainathar Temple.
In 1994, the Tamil Nadu Temple Administration Board permitted its sale through public auction.
It noted that objections contemplated under Section 34 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 were invited only after the auction.
One of the objections also questioned whether the auction valuation was far below the market value.
The Tamil Nadu government, however, later issued a Government Order in 2002 directing that the sale be given effect to.
The dispute goes back more than three decades.
The 3.93-acre parcel forms part of the properties of the Annamalainathar Temple. In 1994, the Tamil Nadu Temple Administration Board permitted its sale through public auction. The upset price was fixed at ₹3.10 lakh.
The auction was held on June 19, 1995. Five persons are stated to have participated. R Subramanian, nephew of then hereditary trustee V Subramaniya Iyer, emerged as the highest bidder with an offer of ₹10.17 lakh.
However, the Madras High Court later found serious irregularities in the process.
It noted that objections contemplated under Section 34 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 were invited only after the auction. One of the objections also questioned whether the auction valuation was far below the market value.
The HR&CE Commissioner subsequently cancelled the auction proceedings in 1997. The Tamil Nadu government, however, later issued a Government Order in 2002 directing that the sale be given effect to.
Meanwhile, portions of the land changed hands.
