Madras HC directs IG to act against Usurer

The Madras High court today directed the Inspector General of Police (South Zone) to conduct an inquiry into the properties owned by an alleged usurer.
Justice N Kirubakaran who disposed of a petition filed by one K Sundaram directed the IGP to file a report to the Commissioner of Land administration.
"Investigations by the Deputy Superintendent of Police revealed that Immanuel and his three family members owned 163 acres of land and 2.55 lakh sqft of buildings (in Virudhunagar district).
Apparently action needed to be taken under the Provisions of Land Reforms Act (land ceiling)," the judge said.
The petitioner submitted that Immanuel was a powerful man who lent money by charging exhorbitant interest.

He had secured around 600 to 700 acres of land by fleecing borrowers and grabbing their properties in a high-handed manner, he alleged while adding that the investigation against him was not done properly.

Sundaram further submitted that he himself was a victim of usury, becuase he had borrowed Rs 11 lakh from Immanuel and lost properties, worth Rs 41 lakh.
However, the DSP, who was asked to file a report by the court after investigating into the petitioner's complaint, said Sundaram himself indulged in malpractice.
On receipt of the DSP's report today, the court directed the IGP to investigate into the properties of the Usurer and send the report for taking action under the provision of Land reforms (fixation ofLand ceiling) Act.