HC appoints Advocate-Commissioner to take inventory of loss

The Madras High Court has appointed an Advocate-Commissioner to take inventory of the loss and assess damage allegedly caused by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation personnel to an exhibitor who conducted the 42nd edition of All India Tourism Fair at the Island Grounds here.
In its petition, the company, Spellbound, claimed that the TTDC personnel had bulldozed and damaged materials and structures to accommodate a political rally for Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at the venue on April 9.
According to senior counsel for the company, P Wilson, the trade fair promoter M/s Spellbound had moved the court first on April 7 seeking permission to dismantle and remove all goods belonging to it from the premises. While entertaining the plea, the court had ordered maintenance of status quo.

However, officials brought men and earthmovers, and caused extensive damage to the property, in their hurry to clear Island Grounds for the public meeting, the petitioner alleged.
Additional Advocate General of Tamil Nadu, however, refuted the allegations and said the petition deserved to be dismissed.
Justice Subbiah, in his order, said no prejudice would be caused to the government if an advocate-commissioner is deputed to assess the damage and file a report to the court.

"The advocate-commissioner is directed to note down, assess and report to this court the extent of damage caused to immovable properties erected and kept by Spellbound, such as machinery, equipment, instruments, platform, stages and iron sheds at Island Grounds," the judge said.

The judge then asked the advocate-commissioner to file a report on April 22.
The case will be taken up for further hearing on April 23, justice Subbiah added.