The Madras High Court on Friday asked late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s niece and nephew — Deepa and Deepak — why a portion of her properties should not be allotted for public welfare, as she had often claimed that she was made by the people and worked for the welfare of people.
A Division Bench, comprising Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice Abdul Quddhose, was hearing a case moved by an AIADMK functionary seeking a direction to appoint him as official administrator for the late Chief Minister’s properties.
Ms. Deepa and Mr. Deepak, said they had no objection over it and they were planning to establish a trust in Jayalalithaa’s name. The duo submitted that they were the only legal heirs of their aunt and the former Chief Minister and were entitled to all of her properties.
When the Bench sought to know why it had taken so long for them to approach the court seeking permission to administer their aunt’s properties, Ms. Deepa said it had taken time since she had approached the authorities to get the requisite legal heir certificate. She also said she was had been denied access to Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa.
The petitioner in the case, Pugazhenthi, submitted that even where there were second-degree legal heirs, the court had powers to appoint a third party as official administrator.
The Bench recorded the submission and adjourned the plea for orders. The Bench also directed the government advocate to find out why the two had been denied access to the Poes Garden house.