CCB registers case against trust

Lolyd

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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CHENNAI: The Central Crime Branch of Chennai police has registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against a well-..

CHENNAI: The Central Crime Branch of Chennai police has registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against a well-known Christian charitable trust for allegedly leasing a portion of its property at below-market value to a city-based educationist. The Madras HC had its expressed disapproval of the lease.
CCB sources told Express that one of the properties of the John De Monte Charitable Trust managed by the Madras-Mylapore Arch Diocese comprised a "total extent of 257 grounds and 81 sq ft in Mylapore, consisting of buildings commonly known as Bens Garden and it was proposed to be leased on a longterm basis to leading educationist Jeppiar".Sources said the trust was named after Sir John De Monte, a Roman Catholic of Portuguese descent, who settled down in India. He amassed substantial wealth and acquired a lot of property, both movable and immovable. De Monte set up religious, pious and charitable establishments and trusts. He bequeathed vast extent of properties in favour of John De Monte Trust, named after him, and his will was probated by the Supreme Court of Judicature at Madras on Sept 28, 1827.

According to the CCB, a case was filed in the Madras High Court in 2003, pleading that the "proposed lease of 257 grounds and 81 sq ft was made on a longterm basis to Jeppiar without proper advertisement or notice to the general public".

The court being the custodian of religious and charitable trusts, disapproved of the lease, the sources said. Under the court directive, the CCB has now registered a case against the management of John De Monte Charitable Trust under Sections 406 and 420. "We will conduct an inquiry in the case," the officer said.