CMDA reverses decision to appoint new advocate

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has reversed its decision to appoint a new advocate to fight its case on illegal constructions following reversal of fortunes in the High Court where 31 of its officials were impleaded for inaction.

The decision comes in the wake of CMDA issuing orders to appoint senior advocate A L Somayajulu to defend CMDA as officials in CMDA felt that the advocate general was unable to fully involve and devote time for the case.

The issue was also mentioned in the monitoring committee but after the advocate general complained to the chief secretary, the order was withdrawn, CMDA sources told Express.

Sources said the name of Somayajulu was proposed by the CMDA to the housing and urban development secretary and vice-chairman of CMDA.

Sources said the officials had earlier felt that the advocate general is engaged in number of important government cases as such he is unable to fully involve and devote time for the CMDA case.

Advocate Somayajulu refused to comment on the issue. Surprisingly, the 31 officials impleaded in the case have hired their own lawyers to fight the case.

Sources said the officials were give freedom to hire any advocate and almost all have their own lawyers to appear for the case.