The state-appointed justice K.P. Sivasubramaniam commission, which probed the allegations of land-grabbing in Siruthavur in Kancheepuram district, has absolved the AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa of any role in the issue, but observed that the land assigned to landless poor and dalits was purchased illegally.
While stating that her close aide Sasikala was “not directly involved,” the commission found that her relatives were among the purchasers. In a two-volume report tabled in the Assembly on Thursday, retired high court judge Sivasubramaniam recommended that nearly 53 acres of land that were purchased by various buyers, including Bharani Resorts, a firm owned by V.N. Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi, relatives of Ms Sasikala were partners, should be taken back by the government.
The recommendation to retrieve the land will not affect the bungalow where Ms Jayalalithaa stayed, as it was stood on government land. Its owner T. Chitra, contended that the commission could only look into land covered by the assignment to landless poor.