CHENNAI: In a serious allegation, Tamil Nadu-based anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam has accused state Milk and Dairy Development Minister RS Raja Kannappan and his three sons of illegally acquiring nearly five acres of government land in a prime location on GST Road in Alandur. The land, reportedly worth Rs. 411 crore, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for an investigation. The NGO lodged a formal complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on October 22, seeking legal action against the minister, his sons, and several government officials for criminal misconduct, fraud, and conspiracy.
The Allegations
The complaint, filed by Arappor Iyakkam’s convenor Jayaram Venkatesan, accuses Raja Kannappan of unlawfully taking over 4.75 acres of government land located in Parangimalai Village. The land, identified as Survey No. 1353, is situated near the BSNL office between Alandur Metro and Nanganallur Metro stations. Venkatesan claimed that the minister, leveraging his political influence, orchestrated the acquisition through his sons, Prabhu, Diwakar, and Dilip Kumar, who are directors and shareholders of Deccan Fun Island and Hotels Pvt. Ltd. The company has been linked to a series of land transactions between 1991 and 2018, allegedly contributing to the illegal takeover of the disputed land.
Venkatesan stated that the land in question was originally leased out during British rule but was reclaimed by the government after independence. However, despite clear government ownership, Raja Kannappan’s family allegedly managed to register a deed in 2018, redeeming the property from mortgage for a mere Rs. 7 lakhs. By government guidelines, the land is valued at Rs. 11,000 per square foot, making it worth Rs. 226 crore. However, at current market rates, which are approximately Rs. 20,000 per square foot, the land’s total value is estimated to be Rs. 411 crore.
Documentary Evidence and Legal Plea
Arappor Iyakkam has supported its claims with documentary evidence, including letters from the Alandur Tehsildar’s office dating back to 2015. These letters confirm that the land, including Survey Nos. 1352 and 1353, is government property and should not have been registered or sold. Despite these warnings, the company linked to Raja Kannappan’s family allegedly proceeded with the registration of deeds, raising questions about the involvement of officials from the Revenue and Registration departments.
The NGO has demanded immediate action, calling for an FIR to be registered against the minister, his sons, and the officials involved. The complaint has been sent to several top government authorities, including Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the Revenue Minister, urging swift intervention to recover the government land.
Minister’s Response
Responding to the allegations, Minister RS Raja Kannappan denied any wrongdoing. He claimed that the accusations were baseless and intended to tarnish his and his family’s reputation. He further argued that the NGO had concealed critical verdicts from both the district court and the High Court that supposedly cleared him of any malfeasance. The minister announced that he would be taking legal action against Arappor Iyakkam for defamation.
Social Media Uproar and Political Reactions
The allegations have caused a stir on social media, with Arappor Iyakkam taking to the platform X (formerly Twitter) to expose the alleged land grab. Social media activist Sumanth Raman also weighed in, tweeting, “One more expose of alleged corruption (land grabbing) by @Arappor. This time the accused is sitting Minister of DMK Government Raja Kannappan.”
BJP State Secretary SG Surya also joined the debate, raising concerns over corruption within the ruling DMK government. In the past, Arappor Iyakkam has exposed alleged scandals involving other DMK ministers, including Senthil Balaji, further amplifying the NGO’s reputation for taking on high-profile figures.
Ongoing Investigations and Government Response
While the NGO has called for urgent recovery of the encroached land, revenue officials have stated that a portion of the land, measuring 12,984 square feet in Survey No. 1352, was already reclaimed by the government last year. However, they confirmed that the land under the control of Minister Raja Kannappan and his family remains unrecovered, fueling calls for stronger government intervention.
Arappor Iyakkam’s latest expose has added to the growing list of corruption allegations against the ruling party. Critics argue that the government must take stringent action to protect public land and hold accountable those involved in misappropriation, regardless of their political stature.
