After SC judgment on Sasikala; Kodanad tea estate cynosure of all eyes

Ooty: The Supreme court’s conviction of AIADMK general secretary Sasikala and others in the disproportionate assets case and the orders on attachment of  properties acquired by them through ‘ill-gotten money’, has triggered fresh interest on whether the sprawling Kodanad tea estate near Kotagiri, considered second home to late Jayalalithaa and Sasikala in this hill district, will now be attached as directed by the apex court while upholding the trial court’s verdict.

Sources close to the Kodanad estate hinted on Wednesday that the shares of Ms.Sasikala and Ms. Ilavarasi, another accused convicted in the case, may be withdrawn and attached, though they were not in a position to give a correct picture “as the Kodanad affairs is being monitored in Poes Garden in Chennai”.
However, the acquisition of the tea estate itself in the early 1990s’ makes for compelling reading.  The Kodanad estate, which has found a mention in the SC verdict in the DA case, is geographically located in the remote far-east corner of Kotagiri slopes. It has a long history that goes back to the early 1800’s when some Britishers began to develop the tea estate.

K.M.Alwas, a Toda tribesman who is the coordinator of National Tribal Forum and a native of Kodanadmund near the estate and who worked in the estate between 1980 and 1995 in different categories as assistant manager and manger,  speaking to DC, gave an insight into the genesis of the estate. He said that the estate was formed as early as 1831 in a small portion in that area. It was christened as ‘Kodanad estate’ in 1868 and the ownership of the estate changed hands in subsequent years.

Mr. Alwas said that he first worked in the estate when it was under the
proprietorship of one Mr. Craig Jones.  “During 1992, Jayalalithaa-Sasikala duo made an advance to Mr. Jones to acquire that property.  But, somehow, the deal dragged for another two years. Around 1994-95 one Mr. R.Udiyaar showed interest in this property, which was in the name ‘Kodanad Tea Estate Pvt., Ltd.,” a partnership firm then spread over 800 acres.  After that, Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and Ilavarasi entered into an agreement with him and became its partners in 1995.  It is still continuing as partnership firm with change of partners in different
years,” he noted.

”I worked under this new set-up for a few months in 1995 and resigned.  A few years back, the present administr- tion purchased over 60 acres of land of others adjoining the estate boundary.  I too sold my land.  But now I and other such sellers feel that we sold our lands to much below the (guideline) value and contemplating moving the court to retrieve the lands back,” he added. The estate now spreads to nearly 900 acres.

Mr. Alwas said that the present Kodanad management developed roads, constructed a new bungalow, constructed a helipad and renovated an old factory inside the estate. The recent addition is the floriculture units inside the estate, he noted.

Since talks are in the air that the Kodanad estate will be attached, “we want it to be a coop sector unit to help the locals,” Mr.Alwas suggested. Meanwhile, Mr. R.Badhri, Nilgiris district CPI (M) secretary, said in case of attachment of Kodanad estate, to sustain the livelihood of around 600 employees, including daily wage earners, it should be handed over the state-run ‘Tantea’. While the Kodanad estate was like a camp house of the former Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa  many times between 2011 and 2016, she inaugurated an ATM at the Kodanad viewpoint, pointed out Mr. Alwas.