Jaya property dispute: HC issues impleads Deepa, Deepak

The Madras High Court Thursday on its own impleaded J Deepa and J Deepak, the niece and nephew of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, as respondents in an appeal filed by two persons in a case related to the administration of the late leader's properties.

The petition was filed by K Pugazhenthi and P Janakiraman, both claiming themselves to be members of the AIADMK.

Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016.

Since the value of the properties left behind by Jayalalithaa runs into hundred crores of rupees, a proper administration is required by the order of this court, the petitioners said.

The petitioners said the value of the assets recorded in the judgment of a court in Bengaluru during the hearing of the disproportionate assets case was more than Rs 55 crore.

According to their estimate, the assets were now valued at Rs 913 crore.

Apprehending that some third parties were in illegal custody of the properties left behind by the former chief minister, the petitioners prayed that "the valuables and properties are to be secured, preserved and administered by granting appropriate letter of administration by the court."