By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Tuesday said that the state government would now initiate steps to take over the Trivandrum Golf Club according to the rules after getting the nod from the high court.
The Kerala High Court Tuesday pointed out that the manner in which the government went ahead in taking over the club in June was against the law of the land, but said the government could do so as per the applicable rules and regulations.
“The court in its judgment has made it amply clear that we are the supreme authority. Now we will surely take back the club and it would be done as per the directives given by the court,” Achuthanandan told reporters after the court’s verdict.
On June 2, the high court had asked the state government to return the possession of the Trivandrum Golf Club to the club members. It also asked Revenue Secretary Nivedita Haran to appear before it for violating norms and showing disrespect to the court.
The court had then asked the government why it had taken over the club in a hurry and in an improper manner. The order had come a few hours after the revenue department took possession of the premium club in the state capital in a hasty operation.
The premium club is situated on a 25-acre plot of prime property in the heart of the city and has among its member’s top bureaucrats, police officials and also leading politicians.
Justice V. Giri Tuesday said the government had every right to take back the club but it should be done following the rules.
He said the government should give notice to the club, which then should be given six weeks’ time to reply.
Justice Giri pointed out that there were many procedural lapses in the manner in which the government went about things in June. He added that the club could also approach the court if the government went ahead with the takeover.
E.M. Najeeb, former president of the golf club, welcomed the court’s observations.
“We objected to the manner in which the government went about things then. It was wrong,” Najeeb told reporters.