Chennai, 28 October (H.S.) : Revenue officials from the Chengalpattu district sealed a prominent restaurant premises on the Chennai-Trichy National Highway (GST Road) in Alandur, near the Chennai airport, during a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday. The action was taken against the world-famous vegetarian chain, Hotel Saravana Bhavan.

The enforcement was executed following a recent court order that instructed the district administration to reclaim possession of the prime 15-ground (approximately 40,112 square feet) land.

According to revenue department sources, the land, which is valued at an estimated ₹300 crore, is government-owned and was previously leased to the private hotel management.

The primary reason cited for the sealing was the hotel's continued operation on the property despite the lease period having expired and its failure to hand over the land and commercial building back to the government.

The case, which was heard in the Alandur court, concluded with a verdict on Wednesday evening directing that the land be restored to government possession. Acting on the directives of the Chengalpattu District Collector and the court, a team of revenue officials arrived at the location in the early hours of Tuesday.

Despite heavy rain, the officials, with the aid of earthmovers, evacuated the hotel staff, removed the hotel's name boards, and sealed both main entrances of the building.

A notice has been conspicuously placed at the site, warning against trespassing and confirming that the property is now under the control of the Chengalpattu District Revenue Department.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary