HC names ex-judge as administrator for MGR trust

Chennai: The Madras high court has appointed D Hariparanthaman, former judge of the HC, as administrator for the properties and trust in the name of former chief minister M G Ramachandran.
Passing the order on Thursday, Justice Sundresh said an administrator was required to conform to the last wishes (in the will) of MGR. (The properties, worth several crores of rupees, had been mired in multiple legal proceedings).
In his will dated January 18, 1987, MGR had appointed senior advocate N C Raghavachari as executor. After the latter’s demise, M Rajendran was to be appointed executor. Thereafter, the court had to appoint an executor. The properties, both movable and immovable, belonged to the executor, as per the will. Dividing his properties in two parts, MGR made it clear that he did not have any legal representative other than his wife, V N Janaki.
While certain parts of the property belonged to Janaki and her relatives, the one in Sathya Garden was given to ‘MGR Oomai Ilam Trust.’ A memorial had to built on the property at T Nagar. Sathya Studio Pvt Ltd belonged to the AIADMK, the will said.
After the demise of Janaki, Raghavachari and Rajendran, a batch of petitions were filed in the HC. Rajendran’s wife, Latha, despite not being a beneficiary, filed a plea to appoint her as executor. M C Chandran, son of MGR’s brother, filed a petition seeking to implead in the case.
“People cannot, as a matter of right, ask to be appointed as administrators,” said Justice M M Sundresh. The will was clear on the court appointing an administrator. Latha could not claim to be appointed administrator merely because her husband was an executor. If it was allowed, the relatives of Raghavachari could make similar claims, Justice Sundaresh added.
As per the will, MGR’s intention was clear. He wanted to use most of his properties for philanthropic purposes and the entitlement of each beneficiary was mentioned. Though he did not want a property dispute among his kin, it cropped up occurred as seen in the multiple proceedings initiated by his relatives, the judge said.
Justice Sundresh said the new administrator was entitled to deal with the accounts and draw a salary of Rs one lakh a month. He had to inspect all properties and accounts and submit a comprehensive report to the court in eight weeks.
Meanwhile, a petition said Latha Rajendran had misused the properties. The court said it could not pass any orders at this stage.