Indore: The district administration sealed two floors of multi- storied ‘ Mahavir Empire’ building, popularly known as ‘ Singapore market’, situated in Regal Square, on Friday. The action was taken following violation of lease conditions by land holder, Mahavir Trust. A team of Nazul Department on Friday sealed the first and second floors of the building and allowed the tenants of ground floor to deposit rent in an escrow account.
A 10- member team of Nazul Department, led by Tehsildar RC Khatedia, reached Singapore Market without police protection at 12.30 pm to take possession of the market following instructions from District Collector Aakash Tripathi.
The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court had directed the district administration to take suitable action against the land given to the Trust in its order delivered on November 29, 2013.Without any opposition, the team took control of vacant I and II floors having 250 shops and sealed them.
Just a few supporters of the Trust tried to create obstacle in the admn work and they even threatened the officials.During the action, manager of the Trust Lalit Rathor was present but when his signature was needed on the Panchnama, he simply vanished from the spot.
A few years back, a major fire broke out in the market and after that shops on both the floors were vacant while on the third floor, a tailoring shop and a water tank are there.As per the instructions of the High Court, an escrow account will be opened under the custodianship of the District Judge in a bank situated on the ground floor, where all the tenants of the ground floor will deposit their rents.
The 42,000 square feet land on which Singapore Market stands was basically given to the Mahavir Trust for conducting child welfare activities by the State Government. Later on, the Trust changed the purpose of the land to commercial.
The Trust also sub- leased the land to Icon Builders Pvt Ltd, which constructed the shopping complex ‘ Mahavir Empire’ on the leased land. A few leased lands are still vacant at the Apsara Hotel end. The Trust was also given 2,500 SQF land for construction of a Kirti Stambha at adjoining Singapore Market, where the Trust constructed a small Stambha and also erected two bank ATMs there.
