Following a notice from the Madras High Court, the Nadigar Sangam Charitable Trust has assured the vacation bench that it will stop construction activities at the disputed site in T Nagar in Chennai.
The counsel for the Trust gave an undertaking to this effect, according to TNIE, when a PIL filed by residents of Vidyodhaya colony came up for hearing at a special sitting before Justices N Kirubakaran and V Parthiban.
The petition stated that the Nadigar Sangam had encroached upon 33 feet road, connecting Prakasam Road and Habibullah Road. Residents had complained that they were unable to use Prakasam Road due to the construction and therefore had to take a longer route.
Nadigar Sangam President Nasser had in the past denied allegations of encroachment, stating that approvals had been granted by the CMDA and Chennai Corporation for the construction of the building.
But the bench has now reportedly appointed an Advocate Commissioner (AC) to inspect the site managed by the Nadigar Sangam trust and the South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA).
The AC, as per the report, will be measuring the property with the help of the Assistant Director of Survey and the Tahsildar of Guindy Taluk. The bench has also given the AC the liberty to seek all records from the revenue department and the Corporation of Chennai.
The foundation stone to the Nadigar Sangam building was laid on March 31, with superstar Rajinikanth and actor Kamal Haasan participating in the ceremony. During the event, actor and Nadigar Sangam General Secretary Vishal had declared that the construction work for the building will be completed in September 2018.
He had then stated that they were expecting an income of Rs 50 lakh per month and that the funds would be used to help drama artistes and senior actors.