VARANASI: A huge plot on prime land at Mahmoorganj, Sigra, worth over Rs 240 crore, belonging to Sri Kasi Nattukottai Nagara Satram (SKNNS) - a Tamil Nadu-based organisation offering 'Bhog-Prasad' at the Kashi Vishwanath temple for the last 209 years - was freed by police from land mafia on Sunday. The mafia had started encroachment in 2003 by constructing a wall blocking entry of SKNNS workers.
Commissioner of police A Satish Ganesh said a delegation of SKNNS office-bearers had complained about the encroached. A team, led by additional deputy police commissioner, Varuna zone, Aditya Lange, went to the site in Mahmoorganj and ensured removal of the wall. The door leading to the land was opened and police officials handed over the land to SKNNS authorities.
"SKNNS owned 62,000 sqft land worth Rs 240 crore in Mahmoorganj. This land was used to grow flowers that were offered at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Besides, there was a temple of Lord Shiva and a lodge on the land," the CP said. Investigations showed that two persons had encroached upon the land through an illegal agreement of purchasing the lodge constructed on 4,000 sq ft area in 2003.
