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A dispute between Amrutanjan Health Care Limited and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has reached the Madras High Court over alleged dues of around INR 97.4 crore linked to temple land in Chennai's Mylapore. Authorities stated that the company continued to occupy the Kapaleeswarar Temple-owned property even after lease expiry and paid rent far below market levels. The company has challenged eviction orders and revised rent demands. The case highlights ongoing issues around old temple land leases and rent revisions in high-value urban areas.
A legal dispute involving Amrutanjan Health Care Limited has come before the Madras High Court, where the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department stated that the company owes around INR 97.4 crore in dues for occupying land belonging to Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai. Advertisement
The land parcel, located on Luz Church Road in Mylapore, measures about 14 grounds and 910 square feet and is considered a prime commercial property. The HR&CE department, which manages temple assets, informed the court that the lease for this land dates back several decades and had expired around 2000. Despite the expiry, the occupant continued to remain on the premises.
Authorities explained that the rent paid over the years remained significantly low compared to prevailing market rates in the area. As per submissions, rent revisions were carried out under applicable rules to reflect fair market value, especially considering the commercial importance of Mylapore. However, the revised rent was not paid, leading to accumulation of arrears over time.
The department also stated that notices had been issued to vacate the property after lease termination, but the occupation continued. It further conveyed that the dues were calculated based on refixed fair rent and the period of continued occupation after the lease had lapsed.
Amrutanjan Health Care Limited has challenged these claims and filed a writ appeal against an earlier court order that had directed eviction and recovery of dues. The company has argued that the rent revision was excessive and that the demand for arrears, including retrospective calculations, was not justified under the circumstances.
Court proceedings have also reflected that disputes over rent fixation and tenancy conditions have been ongoing for a long time. Earlier, there were challenges related to provisions requiring tenants to deposit a portion of dues before filing appeals. The authorities maintained that such provisions are necessary to safeguard temple properties and ensure proper revenue collection.
It was also pointed out during the hearing that the company continued to hold the land until 2018, even after the lease had expired years earlier. This extended occupation formed a key basis for the calculation of dues claimed by the department.
The matter highlights a broader issue seen across Tamil Nadu, where several temple-owned properties leased many years ago continue under old rental structures. In recent years, the HR&CE department has been actively revisiting such leases, reassessing rents, and initiating recovery or eviction proceedings where required.
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